Food for thought: (Bulletin 16 Aug 2026), Gospel: Mt 15: 21 - 28

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Food for Thought & Bulletin

(16 Aug 2026)

“Reaching Across Boundaries“

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There are many ways to explain what it means to be a Christian, many paths by which we might describe how to follow Christ.  Jesus called people to create an environment of understanding, one of faith and trust, and of compassion.  He constantly reminded them that they have been chosen by name and have been called to create an environment in which healing takes place, where one is forgiven and reconciled, where concern is fostered, where one feels a sense of belonging. 

Today’s Scriptures present us with a very different description: a Christian is one who reaches across boundaries. Even Jesus struggled with boundaries. Matthew tells us that he withdrew from Israel to Tyre and Sidon (Gentile territory) where a Canaanite woman comes asking for his help to heal her daughter who was “tormented by a demon.”

We are called to build God’s kingdom, a kingdom where people can be one.  To do this we must first identify who in our life is the stranger, the foreigner, the outcast or oppressed. Then, following the example of Christ, we need to reach across those boundaries and become the Christ for them that he is for us.