If we take the time to either read or listen to this passage carefully, it would be quite natural for us to feel surprised by what Jesus said in his interaction with this woman.  His response that He "was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" stands out and may seem shocking to us as well.

If we were to pause and think through this passage, we could most likely feel that the way Jesus responds here simply does not seem like Jesus at all! 

What evolves, however, as we go through this story is a recognition that as Jesus lived out His life, He began to see things differently throughout His journey.  In fact, it became quite clear that He was quite willing to challenge some of the assumptions that were part of the mindset of those who perceived themselves as quite religious.  Jesus' personal response to the woman conveys a spiritual depth that transcends the approach found in the legalism found in much of religious practice and in his process of shaping that response, causes him to consider the meaning of his own faith as well. 
 
This is a scriptural selection that speaks powerfully to the humanity of Jesus and the recognition that Jesus was shaped by the religious traditions of his time. His direct statement "I was sent ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" can quite readily cause concern for those of us who see Jesus as someone whose approach to life and faith is far more inclusive than what is found in those who "cling to traditions."  It is a passage that can really cause consternation indeed.
 
However, the beauty and the power of this passage is that Jesus changes His mind.......AND in that change conveys a message of inclusion. There was a profound recognition WITHIN Jesus that while He WAS sent to the "lost sheep" of the house of Israel, He was also sent in many other directions as well. In this case, Jesus makes clear, this woman's faith broke through any traditional legalistic barriers that were present in the religious understandings of His time and place. It is in our understanding of HIS faith that we are able to break through barriers as well, barriers that are often associated with what constitutes "religion."
 
This passage speaks powerfully to the heart and soul of religion as understood by Jesus. In so doing, it speaks both powerfully and profoundly to OUR faith as well. What is clear in this message is that, despite the impact of religious traditions, there is something far broader and significant than the mere presence of tradition in living out one's religious faith. Jesus' own personal reflection on the reality in front of him as He engaged in dialogue with this woman provides thought-provoking material for us to consider.

In this dialogue, Jesus affirms that His faith is NOT the narrow faith found in much of "organized religion". Instead it is a faith put into practice by meetings the needs of ALL, each in their own unique circumstances!  It is THIS FAITH which constitutes the HEART and SOUL of OUR FAITH in this remarkable man, Jesus of Nazareth!