Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dominica XX per Annum A

16 August 2026

The Gospel passage is a bit unsettling for us because the Lord seems distant and rude, and even offensive toward the woman who calls out to him. There is debate about whether the term “dog” in reference to the Canaanite woman was offensive in ancient language. Some scholars suggest the Lord was using a diminutive form of the term, in other words something like “little pups”. But whatever the case, the woman herself does not seem to be offended. She also does not leave as if she understands herself to be rejected. And the Lord, for however strange his behavior seems to us, does not dismiss her or send her away either, even when his disciples do want her sent away. Since the woman does not act offended or abandoned, I’m going to set aside the odd sounding term “dog” and focus on a more important lesson for us.

The Scripture selection in the first reading and the Gospel shows us that there is a proper order in the offer of salvation. First, the offer comes to God’s chosen people and then, after them, when the New Covenant has been established by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, the offer of salvation is extended more broadly beyond the Jewish people to Gentile foreigners. Just as it is not proper for someone to take food intended for the family and to give it to the dogs first, likewise in salvation. The children are fed first and then others. A good parent knows to feed the children first and then the pets.

In the Gospel, Jesus is in Gentile pagan territory, where in his time remnants of the northern tribes of Israel were still present. The Canaanites, of whom the woman in the Gospel is a part, were the most immersed in immorality and among the most pagan, worshipping false gods and even sacrificing their children to demons. And they frequently meddled with Israel’s peace by waging war. The Gospel detail about Jesus’ location is screaming loud and clear: If there ever was a foreigner outside of God’s salvation, she is it!

The woman calls out to Jesus, “Have pity on me, Lord”! Her words in the original Greek of the New Testament should sound familiar to us: “Eleison me, Kurie”! That request for mercy and others like it in the Bible are directly used in the Mass when we call to mind our sins using the Greek phrase, “Kyrie, eleison.” “Lord, have mercy”. At first, Jesus ignores her and remains silent. His disciples want to send the woman away. No doubt she was creating an uncomfortable commotion by crying out. Th