From the very beginning of time, God has been at work unifying humanity. Isaiah's vision of the temple as a house of prayer for all nations was echoed in the New Testament by Jesus. Isaiah makes it clear that all who walk in God's ways are welcome, regardless of their origins or earthly status. For God, there are no outsiders or 'others', a message that we need to hear today. Paul even saw Israel's rejection of Jesus as somehow part of God's plan. Eventually, Paul believed, all Israel would be saved. God is love, and in this love, God desires to embrace all humanity. The Canaanite woman was not a Jew, and the apostles were not happy that she was asking Jesus to heal her daughter. Even Jesus seemed reluctant - his primary mission was to the house of Israel. But she persisted, without fear, and even addressed him with Messianic titles. When Jesus dismissed her by saying that it was not right to feed the children's food to the dogs, she came back with a very clever answer. Jesus was impressed with her incredible faith, and granted her request. Sometimes there is great faith from those who do not believe, and little faith from those who claim to do so. God is at work in everyone.