Please read this passage before reading the homily.
My sisters and brothers,
She was a Canaanite woman, a descendent of the original inhabitants of the country before the Israelites had arrived. She lived in the area of Tyre and Sidon, in modern-day Lebanon. Another Canaanite woman mentioned by name is Rahab who had welcomed the Israelite spies at Jericho in Joshua’s time.
Rahab is called a harlot, a prostitute or sex-worker. She saved the lives of the Israelite spies and the lives of her family. The Canaanite women in today’s gospel wants to have her daughter healed. Rahab had welcomed spies; this woman spoke to Jesus. Rahab had protected her family and the spies; the Canaanite woman was saved her daughter. Rahab had welcomed spies when the Israelites had first entered the land of Canaan under Joshus; but the Cnaanite woman welcomed Jesus after he had left the land of Israel to escape persecution.
How bad were the Canaanites? They were much better than the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, where Jesus had worked many miracles (Cf Matthew 11:20-24).
Like the Good Samaritan, the Canaanite woman is a heroic figure for us in the Gospels. Jesus’ dialogue with the woman and her faith and humility when challenged by Jesus challenge us to change our attitudes towards people whom we label negatively or whom we treat with prejudice.
You or your ancestors have come to the U.S., a dangerous journey away from dangerous situations. As Jesus withdrew from Israel, so have migrants withdrawn from their native places. As Jesus made new relationships in foreign places, so I hope migrants find understanding and friendships in new places.
I find it interesting that the disciples of Jesus suggested that Jesus send the woman home, just as they had suggested that he send the crowds away when he multiplied the loaves. Both stories center on food, food for five thousand and food that falls under the table. Jesus is more willing to feed those who come to him than we are to share our food and our lives with others.
Whether we are natives to where we live or not, we have people like the Canaanite woman in our lives, people who want or need attention from us. Little brothers and sisters like older brothers and sisters to give them some attention. Beggars and homeless people look to us to see them also as human. Others feel the heed to take up our time when we do not want to give them our time. These may be the ones we want to dismiss and send away. These are also the ones Jesus himself wants to welcome through what we do.