It is hyperbole to say that chances are the priest will not be a native speaker, though the odds vary depending on where you are.
On the blog you mention:
Quote:
That is the background to today’s gospel, as the Canaanites were pagan Gentiles. And there were even stricter Jewish rules governing men interacting with women, especially Gentile women. Jesus would have grown up totally immersed in such teaching which gives us an understanding at least of his response to her pleading.
and
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Eventually Jesus was so impressed by her persistence and her faith in him to the extent of challenging his perception of Gentiles (which today would be considered very politically unacceptable), that her daughter was healed.
and
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Even the rather smug or even insulting attitude Jesus betrays here, coming straight out of his background and upbringing, also did not deter her
This is unacceptable. Jesus did not need His perceptions challenged. He was never subject to mere human prejudices, as this implies.
The funny thing is, a few items down, I find this:
Quote:
In these days, we seem to emphasize the humanity of Jesus rather than his divinity.
You don't say.
