You're Nothing But a Worthless Dog - Gospel Reflections

Don't let doubt about who you are or who you were meant to be keep you locked up.

Sunday's Gospel from the Book of Matthew always bothered me. Here you have a woman begging the Lord for help, begging, not for herself, but for the healing of her daughter.

And you have the Lord Jesus ignoring her and then brushing her off with this:

I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

I have read this passage many times and thought, "How hurtful that must have been. How much courage must this woman have had to go to Jesus through the crowd of those so unlike her, those who knew, knew, they were better than her, those who knew they were better because Jesus had even said He had come for them - not for dogs as herself."

And then I'd always wonder with pain in my heart, "Why would Jesus, who is the One who should have understood her pain, brush her off so badly?"

And then that negativity she must have felt from all those pressing in on her would have solidified as she asked again and Jesus' response became even more harsh.

It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.

To read more and to understand the value of self-worth as I understand it and in context with this passage, please go to Single Mom Smiling.

God Bless...