August 20, 2017 Matthew 15: 21-28 I’d originally planned to preach from the Old Testament this morning. I love all the twists and turns of Joseph’s story. But after the events in Charlottesville last weekend, after listening to the national conversation brewing around me, I realized that I had to start over and preach about the Gospel. Because right now this story is our story. Jesus and his disciples are on the move, visiting the region of Tyre and Sidon. These two places have been repeatedly condemned by the prophets of old. The Israelites were instructed to stay away from this region when they entered the promised land. And while Jesus and his disciples are there, this Canaanite woman approaches. The Canaanites were held-up as “enemy” by the Israelites, identified with idolatry and perverted religion. Additionally, this is a woman, with no clout, status or voice. So this Canaanite woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon is at least trice marginalized