Episode
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Divine Humiliation
- Podcast
- Catholic Daily Reflections
- Published
- Aug 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 461
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Summary
Read Online Divine Humiliation “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” Matthew 15:26–28 Imagine the Son of God referring to you as a dog. For most people, that would be deeply offensive. So why would Jesus do such a thing? He did so, in part, to draw forth from this woman an act of profound humility and faith. Through this moment of divine humiliation, Jesus invited her to rise to a heroic response, prompting Him to exclaim, “O woman, great is your faith!” He desires to do the same with each one of us. When Jesus first encountered this woman, He saw into her soul and perceived the depth of her faith. As God, He knew everything about her—her suffering, her love for her daughter, her perseverance. He also knew He would heal the girl, yet He did not do so immediately. Instead, He engaged in what theology refers to as divine pedagogy—a method of instruction by which God teaches slowly, carefully, and with purpose. In this case, Jesus used the moment to teach His disciples, and us, a profound lesson about humility and unwavering faith. He tested her, and she passed the test marvelously. The location of this encounter is also significant. It took place in the region of Tyre and Sidon, in modern-day Lebanon—a Gentile territory known for its Greek-speaking population and pagan customs. The woman is specifically identified as a Canaanite, evoking the memory of Israel’s ancient enemies. And yet, it is precisely this outsider—this woman of seemingly little spiritual privilege—who becomes a model of the faith the chosen people were meant to embo…