Not long ago, the church was very different from what it is now, reflected in a cartoon depicting two Lutheran matrons in conversation. One said to the other, “I just don’t understand what the furor is over evangelism. Surely everyone who ought to be Lutheran already is.”
We see an early example of that “us-and-them” attitude in today’s reading, with Jesus himself telling his disciples to go only to the lost sheep of Israel. Not long after, his attitude was changed by the faith of a Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28):
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Who are the “Canaanite women” in your life? Who might open our eyes? What might we then see?
O God, open our eyes and our hearts by the faith that you create. Amen. —