When Jesus is confronted by the “Canaanite,” i.e. pagan woman, he initially rejects her request. Jesus said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Despite his seeming hostility the woman persists, and Jesus sees things in a new light. His mission is more expansive than he had imagined. If the Son of God has to grow in understanding his mission, how much more do we. We are tempted, for example, to care for our little community, to keep supporting and connected to those we feel we belong to. Like Jesus we must learn that there isn’t anyone out there who does not deserve our care and attention. We are called to widen our circle of compassion.
