But he answered and said,
It is not right to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs.
Read Chapter 15
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
And to cast it to the dogs; i.e. to Gentiles, sometimes so called by the Jews. (Witham)
The diminutive word Kuna Rios, or whelp, is used in both these verses in the Septuagint. Our Lord crosses the wishes of the Chanaanæan, not that he intended to reject her, but that he might bring to light the hidden and secret treasure of her virtue. Let us admire not only the greatness of her faith, but likewise the profoundness of her humility; for when our Saviour called the Jews children, so far from being envious of another's praise, she readily answers, and gives them the title of lords; and when Christ likened her to a dog, she presently acknowledges the meanness of her condition. (St. Chrysostom, hom. liii.) He refused at first to listen to her petition, says the same saint, to instruct us with what faith, humility, and perseverance we ought to pray. To make his servants more sensible of his mercy, and more eager to obtain it, he often appears to pay no attention to their prayers, till he h...
What then says Christ? Not even with all this was He satisfied, but He makes her perplexity yet more intense again, saying,
It is not meet to take the children's bread and to cast it to the dogs. Matthew 15:26
And when He vouchsafed her a word, then He smote her more sharply than by His silence. And no longer does He refer the cause to another, nor say, I am not sent, but the more urgent she makes her entreaty, so much the more does He also urge His denial. And He calls them no longer sheep, but children, and her a dog.
What then says the woman? Out of His own very words she frames her plea. Why, though I be a dog, said she, I am not an alien.
Justly did Christ say, For judgment am I come. John 9:32 The woman practises high self-command, and shows forth all endurance and faith, and this, receiving insult; but they, courted and honored, requite it with the contrary.
For, that food is necessary for the children, says she, I also know; yet neither am I forbidden, being a do...
