Her response makes it clear that she is not challenging that mission but rather suggesting that there is enough love in him to spare some for those outside of Israel; after all, even house pets eat the scraps from the family table. Of course, the healing of a sick girl is important, but so was the spiritual healing of a mother who felt like an outsider, showing by her persistence and faith that she longed to belong. I am not suggesting that Church teaching should be changed but that the hearts of the faithful need to reflect the love of Christ.