Jesus said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Mt 15:21-28
In America a Filipina was asked by a white woman to alight from the bus and return to the Philippines because she does not belong there although she was a citizen. Believe it or not up to the present time discrimination is still rampant in the US.
But haven’t we Pinoys also been discriminating aliens here. From the time I was a kid we call all from India as “Bombay” and tease the Chinese ” intsik beho tulo laway“.
Yet Jesus teaches us never to discriminate anyone who is different from us. He did not discriminate children, women, Samaritans, aliens.
But Christians were often discriminated in the beginning because they were different from the majority. They love enemies and do not share their wives like most people.
But all the three readings of this Sunday speak against discrimination. Through Isaiah Yahweh promises to bring also foreigners to His holy mountain – Isaiah 56:1.6-7.
In his letter to Rome St Paul admits that he had been preaching to the Gentiles – Romans 11:13-15.29-32.
In Matthew Jesus, amazed at the Canaanite mother’s faith, cured her sick daughter – Matthew 15:21-28.
But remember one thing is to be different. But it’s another story to do wrong things. It is okay to be different but not okay to welcomes sinners but does not tolerate wrong things. Pope Francis is welcoming of all race, religion and sex. He said “better to be an atheist than a hypocritical Catholic”. He even said that the Church had no right to judge the gay community and should show them respect. In short as long you avoid sin, the pope accepts you – notwithstanding the criticism he gets from those who are conservative. Let us do the same.