Persistent faith in clever approach

The language of Jesus in the Gospel from Matthew in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today seems out of character. In the normal order, we read that the Prophet Isaiah, as noted by Friar Jude Winkler, is correcting the movement to restore the religious practice of the Jews when they return from the exile in Babylon to a more restrictive form which rejects foreigners. Isaiah declares the holy mountain in Jerusalem to be a house of prayer for all peoples. The psalmist chants to God that all the nations praise You. Paul addresses the Gentile Christians in Rome as he shares his deep hope that the Jewish people, his heritage, will be moved by jealousy towards the Gentile Christians to reconsider their rejection of Jesus so that by their reconciliation God will bring life after death by showing Divine mercy to all. Diane Jorgensen reflects that the language of Jesus toward the pagan Canaanite woman in the Gospel strikes her as rudeness which may be the consequence of fatigue. She hints at a process theology perspective that Jesus is learning of His mission to the Gentiles. John B Cobb Jr writes about how this passage is in harmony with the understanding of Matthew about the primary nature of Jesus mission being to the lost sheep of Israel. Don Schwager outlines the format and content of this Gospel written by a Jewish man to a Jewish  Christian audience. The exceptions to the rule are noted by Cobb. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus has chosen to travel in the pagan region. The tenacity of faith which Diane Jorgensen urges us to develop is also a strong message Jesus may be delivering to His disciples. Cobb notes that the Greek word for dogs in this passage means the house dog rather than stray or wild dogs. Friar Jude notices that Jesus is often showing us that the clever mind and the thoughtful response are tools to get attention. We need to be people of faith who use our hearts and minds to probe the mystery and be persistent in our struggle throughout which we will be gifted with life and healing.