Seeing Shadows: The Cross and the Caananite Woman

On this 17th Sunday after Pentecost, which is also the Sunday before the Elevation of the Cross, Bp. Irineos discusses the two Gospel readings, both of which foreshadow something to come. In the Gospel of John we see reference to Christ's coming crucifixion through the reference to Moses and the Serpent of Brass. In the account of the Canaanite woman, we see the foreshadowing of the spread of the Gospel to the Gentile people. Having looked at both of these "shadows", we also look at how the Canaanite woman is a model of faith for us!