Today's gospel is the story of the Canaanite woman who pleaded with Jesus to heal her daughter, who was being tormented by a demon. The woman had no chance. She was a woman, trying to speak to a man in public. A social faux pas of the highest order for that time and place. She was not Jewish, or even "partially" Jewish, like a Samaritan. She was considered a "pagan". And yet, she is persistent. She brushes aside Jesus' three rebuffs and persists in her attempts, finally besting Jesus in argument. He sees her great faith and heals her daughter.

The woman's need to have her daughter healed trumped any logical, theological reasons why Jesus should not help her. So it is with us. Students come to us in great need, because "God wills not only that all come to knowledge of the truth but also that all be saved . . . giving children the teachers who will assist them in the fulfillment of his plan" (De La Salle, Med 193.3). Their parents bring them to us with great expectation and great hope, with a great desire that we will guide them through college, even though they may not have all the grade level skills, money for tuition, or the same opportunities that others in society have. Our students share this desire even if they haven't mastered turning in homework, the dress code, or having perfect social skills.

As "ambassadors and ministers of Jesus Christ" (De La Salle, Med. 195.2), can we ever ignore the desires of these students, even in view of their own "not a chance" problems?