Greatest Thing

Pearls Before Swine is the name of this cartoon.   The phrase is biblical.   It’s from Matthew (7:8), and it reads: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” 

According to the USCCB website, “Dogs and swine were Jewish terms of contempt for Gentiles. This saying may originally have derived from a Jewish Christian community opposed to preaching the gospel (what is holy, pearls) to Gentiles.”  

A more contemporary interpretation is that “casting pearls before swine” means wasting time by offering something that is helpful or valuable to someone who does not appreciate or understand it.  The author, Stephan Pastis, of the comic strip challenges us to understand his meaning.

Pastis has been in print for many years and only recently did I discover him and appreciate his humor.  Here's a strip on the evolution of marriage.

Deacon David Pierce