Los Perrillos

Today at church I learned something new about a passage of Scripture I've read before, but always found troubling. The passage is Mark 7: 24-30. In a nutshell a Greek woman comes to Jesus asking him to heal her daughter. Jesus does so, but only after an interesting dialouge. Jesus says to this woman, "First let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs".

So if the "children" to whom Jesus is refering are the Jews, does that mean he is calling this woman (who is not a Jew) "a dog"? If so, what an insult! I have to admit I may have read this passage with this interpretation, and remained confused as to why Jesus would insult someone.

I learned today that back in those days the Jewish people did not keep dogs as pets; instead dogs were seen as dirty animals- probably left to scavage for themselves. Greeks, on the other hand, would keep dogs as pets- taking them into their homes, feeding them good food, and pretty much pampering them like we do today.

When this passage was translated into English, the word "dog" is used. In the Spanish translation however, this word is translated "perrillo"- which does not mean just dog, but "little dog" or "little pet". My pastor said today that the Spanish translation is actually closer to the original language than the English (my church is bi-lingual).

So this means Jesus is not referring to this woman using a derisive term. Instead, he is saying that even though she is a foreigner (not Jewish) she is still loved and appreciated- just as we love and feel affection for our pets.

So now that we know Jesus isn't being insulting, what does this passage mean? He's testing what the woman's response will be by saying that his ministry is to the people of Israel, and that he needs to go to them first. The woman's response? "Yes Lord, but even the dogs (perrillos) under the table eat the children's crumbs. In effect, this women is acknowledging that she understands she is loved and appreciated, and that even though Jesus is coming first to the Jewish people, she has been "listening in" on what he has been doing, and believes in who he is. It is this demonstration of faith that causes Jesus to heal her daughter.

What about for us? (Of course, this side of the cross, we know that Jesus' message is for everyone, regardless of ethnicity.) For me, it's this woman's quiet confidence and faith that really stand out. She knew who she was before Christ, and boldy approached him with her need. What a lesson!