Mk 7:24-30
Dogs: The story consists of a simple dialogue between the woman and Jesus. However, Mark has crafted a narrative which addresses a number of problems of his own community.
First, Mark portrays Jesus as a typical Jew traveling to a Gentile territory and meeting a Gentile (Greek, Syrophoenician) woman. Jesus metaphorically refers to the Jews as children and to the Gentiles as pups. In effect, he seems to be calling the woman’s daughter a dog. But, just as in a household the leftover scraps are given to the household dogs who usually wait beneath the table, the woman argues, so Gentiles should be able to benefit from the ministry of Jesus. How craftily Mark has justified the mission to the Gentiles!
Second, this mission to the Gentiles is based on faith. Because the woman believed and stood up to Jesus, her daughter was cured. Faith, no matter whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, is what characterizes an authentic disciple of Jesus.
Third, it is a woman who gets the best of Jesus. Mark is particularly sensitive to women and their needs. They occupy key positions throughout the Gospel. Why? Because in general, they were powerless people. Mark shows that it is the powerless who are really powerful.