This weekend's Gospel reading poses a significant challenge for us. But there's one part I really enjoy about it. When Jesus makes a remark about giving the blessings for the people of Israel to Gentiles, using the metaphor of food to the dogs, the woman jumps on that remark and offers a great come-back. And in that, she displays great faith, as she declares that the blessings for the people of Israel extend to all people. So as cruel as Jesus seems in His remarks, those remarks lead the woman to making a great declaration of faith.
This is what Isaiah writes of in the first reading. People from all over come to honor God, and, as such, God draws them to Himself, making a place for all peoples to pray and worship Him. We can see the reality of this reading in the Church, the body of Christ--not just the place, but the people who compose it. And this idea comes up in the 2nd reading, when St. Paul writes of how God gives mercy to all people. The Gentiles received it because the Jews wouldn't accept Jesus as Savior, and so those like Paul turned to minister the Gospel to them. And Paul hoped that his ministry would make his people, the Jews, desire that, too.
Ultimately, we are all sinners in need of God, and no matter who we are, God draws us to Himself to be His people. The challenge for us to is accept all as God does.
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