Today’s Gospel marks a turning point in the ministry of Jesus. He sees himself as sent ‘only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. That is, to those who were deemed sinners because they could not keep the Law of Moses, and were considered beyond the care and concern of God by religious authorities.

The story centres around a confrontation between Jesus and a pagan (Canaanite) woman.

Firstly, Jesus ignores her altogether. Then, because the woman is making such a racket, the disciples ask him to give her what she wants. Jesus refuses. The woman approaches him directly and asks for help. He refuses again, quoting an ancient popular racial slur against the Canaanites. His words are harsh and demeaning, but the woman persists, defeating Jesus with her quick thinking and twisting his own imagery in her favour.

He recognizes her faith and grants her wish.

St Matthew uses this story about Jesus and the woman to answer the question about who belongs in the Kingdom of God – who are the insiders and who are the outsiders?

In terms of the story, not only Israelites, but all who come with faith, are part of the Kingdom. The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah makes the same point: God’s house is a house for all the peoples.

Matthew’s early Christian community is struggling with accepting some non-Jews wanting to join them.

Just as Jesus (the ultimate insider) moves past his own prejudices, so the members of the Kingdom and the Church must move past theirs’ so that God’s house of prayer will be a place of justice and integrity for all the peoples; a house from which God’s salvation and healing flows.