Anne Harpham, pastoral associate at St. Augustine By The Sea Parish in Honolulu, Hawaii, gave a reminder recently that Jesus was inclusive, using the story of the Caananite woman and her daughter.

As Jesus was inclusive, so should we be in our dealings with those who are different.

At first, Jesus seemed hostile and uncompassionate toward the Canaanite woman. She sought healing for her daughter and Jesus practically ignored her. When he did finally acknowledge her, he insulted her. She persisted, however, speaking his words back to him. Because of her faith, he relented and healed her daughter.

This Jesus seems to be at odds with the Jesus of the other Gospel accounts. Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience and reminded them that in Jesus, the New Covenant is open to all.

Matthew 15:21-28 also provided an example of the type of faith Jesus expects his followers to hold. The Canaanite woman stood firm in her faith, even after being dismissed by Jesus. She continued to believe despite Jesus' dismissal of her.

Caananites were considered heathens in Jesus' day. But Jesus recognized the woman's great faith and included her.

"We must welcome the outsider— those who are different than us and those whose views are different than ours," Harpham said in the church's Aug. 16 bulletin. "Jesus reminds us that those we see as outsiders are people of goodwill too."