Jesus was taking a few vacation days by the seashore. He felt a little put upon when a foreign woman, a pagan who did not worship the God of the Jews, came with her request. “Let the children be fed first,” Jesus said. He was clear about his mission “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” His circle of care did not include this stranger. Her persistence wore him down and he came to include her in his mission. Jesus learned to include “the other” among those he ministered to. We are tempted to narrow our circle of care to our family and friends and close community. The example of Jesus teaches us to be open to seeing others are deserving our care.
