August 16, 2026

Dear Parishioners,

Christology is the study of the nature of Christ. Some theologians speak of a “high Christology” and others of a “low Christology.” To put it simply, a high Christology would be one that emphasizes Christ’s divinity; that Jesus, especially while he lived, possessed and lived more out of his godliness. He performed miracles, he was always in control, he knew what was going to happen, everything was done with intentionality. A low Christology emphasizes Jesus’s humanity; that our Lord had the experiences most humans have–he suffered, he was hungry, he was surprised and disappointed, he could be taught, etc. 

Now, Christ was fully God and fully man, so, you could argue, both high and low Christology are correct; Jesus was a mixture of both throughout his ministry. Perhaps Jesus was more “high Christology” when he was doing miracles, like walking on water; perhaps he was more “low Christology” when he was weeping over Lazarus’ death. Not that high is good and low is bad. It’s just how he was.

My first question for you, before I connect this to the Gospel, is, are you a high or a low Christology-type person? Do you prefer to focus on Jesus’ divinity? That is, do you call on him for miracles, for help in particular situations, for conversion of the world? Or, do you prefer Jesus’s humanity? That is, when you relate to him, is it more as a friend, brother, spouse; someone you talk to and pour your heart out to? Maybe, like in Jesus’s life, you are both: some days and some moments you are high Christology, other days and other moments you are low Christology. 

Hopefully you have some balance. If not (you only see Jesus’s divinity or only his humanity), you might ponder that. If Jesus is only ever God for us–we only see him as almighty and the one to submit to–there might be a part of our humanity we are suppressing. Are we afraid of being vulnerable, of being authentic? On the other hand, if we only ever look to Jesus as our friend and never in a divine way, then we might be a little too selfish, like we only want a friend who is there on our terms and not someone (God) who can put a demand on us.

At any rate, we could look at the Gospel of Jesus interacting with the Syro-Phoenician woman both through a high and low Christology lens. The high Christology lens would say that Jesus is teaching the apostles a lesson about how to evangelize; that he is eliciting faith from this woman by making her “work” for the miracle (refusing her at first and then calling her a dog). The low Christology lens would say that Jesus was in a bad mood or smarting from the fact that just before this scene, the Pharisees had challenged him and rejected his miracles. Jesus refused the woman and called her a dog because he was not in a great place personally.

The low Christology approach, I would bet, makes us feel uncomfortable. We don’t like to think of Jesus being in a bad mood or reacting harshly out of a wound. We like a Jesus who is in control and who is always kind and loving (the high Christology). But, if we were to stick with the low Christology approach to this Gospel, let’s not forget the scene doesn’t end with Jesus ignoring the woman and calling her a dog. It ends with Jesus being impressed by the woman, performing the miracle for her, and being brought out of his bad mood. 

Think about the significance of that and the ramifications. Jesus was influenced. He was brought out of his bad mood by the woman. He was comforted and consoled. I don’t know about you, but I like to think this was possible then and is still possible now. We can have an effect on our Lord. Yes, he’s omniscient–he knows everything and what’s going to happen–yet in some mysterious way beyond our comprehension, our Lord can still be surprised by us.

Pleasantly and unpleasantly surprised by us, I should state. Can you think of something you did today or this past week that made Jesus smile? If not, what is something you think you could do that would pleasantly surprise him? Perhaps writing a note to someone or calling an old friend? Perhaps spending a little extra time in prayer today? Perhaps fasting from a meal or that second drink at some point tomorrow and offering it up for someone?

Likewise, what have you done or what do you do that puts Jesus in a bad mood, or disappoints him? Again, I know it’s hard to think that way about Jesus (at least, it’s hard for me), but try to remember he won’t stay in the bad mood, just like he didn’t with the woman. But it’s a good exercise in humility and honesty to be aware of what you do that hurts our Lord. And don’t just think of the laundry list of sins that you confess. (Or, maybe that would be what hurts the Lord: that you just read the script of what you think are your sins and are too blind to see something else you’re doing that you’re not confessing.) Rather, for what disappoints the Lord, think more about the gift you are and how you didn’t use that gift to better the people in your life.

When I was in grade school the “classic” song came out, “Who let the dogs out.” I’m pleasantly surprised to hear the kids in our school still shouting this at recess  time. I don’t feel as old. The Syro-Phoenician woman was a dog. We are all dogs too. Jesus let the dogs out. Whether we’re high or low Christology, may we run to our master.

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It’s hard to believe, but we’re almost back to school, though I know many of our college students have already returned to school. We are praying for you, college students, and hope you are settling in. The SPC School teachers report this Wednesday and the first day of school (K-8) will be next Monday, August 24th. Enjoy the remainder of your summer break and we look forward to seeing you all back around campus.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. James