Christ the King Catholic Church in Detroit shared a gospel reflection about the importance of all lives in their Aug. 16 bulletin.

In the book of Isaiah, the topic of inclusion was an important one, and all people from all nations were promised to partake in the banquet referred to in chapters 55 and 56, the Rev. Victor Clore said in the bulletin. It was not only the Jewish lives that were of importance, but all God’s children.

The Bible is filled with examples of inclusion in spite of an individual's origin, ethnicity or religious tradition.

“Today’s Gospel puts chauvinistic words in Jesus’ mouth – ‘I was sent to the lost sheep of Israel,'" Clore continued. "'It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.' St. Matthew is teaching a Jewish Christian Church at Antioch, a multicultural city, where gentiles (Canaanite men and women) are hearing about Christ, and asking to be baptized."

Even in the times when Matthew was writing, there were racist sects of individuals who believed that the good news of God was only for those who had a special connection to it through their heritage.

Over the years, the Church has had to define what its stance is on issues that were once culturally taken for granted, such as the possession of slaves.

“The Bible assumes slavery to be the natural state of affairs; there are more than 200 references to slaves," Clore said. "You may buy male and female slaves from the (pagan) nations around you (Leviticus 25:44- 46)."

But today, we know better and we can see the importance of inclusion and fair treatment of all humans, given the fact that we inherently possess human dignity bestowed on us by God. Once again, we are called to a higher and more difficult path in this life.

“As difficult as it is, I think our commitment to racial integration, and projects like Sacred Conversations about Race + ACTION, are a better way to go,” Clore said.