August 17, 2014

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 56:1,6-7

   Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, Loving the name of the LORD, and becoming his servants-- All who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, Them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; Their holocausts and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

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Responsorial Psalm: 67:2-3.5.6,8
Response: O God, let all the nations praise you!
   May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.  (Response)
   May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (Response)
   May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (Response)

Second Reading: Romans 11:13-15,29-32

   Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may (now) receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

   At that time, Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He 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." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
   Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. (Matthew 15:23) Was Jesus silent to the Canaanite woman because she was a foreigner? Whatever might be he ignored her. Ignoring is one way of saying that one is not wanted or one is not happy with the person etc. Jesus clearly does so as we see it at the end of the scene. Disciples came forward and pleaded for her. Jesus’ answer seems to be so divisive. He speaks in exclusive language. There must be a reason for it because he came to build a kingdom that was all inclusive.
   The woman continues to plead and the answer given by Jesus is more offensive to say the least. He indirectly calls her a dog. (Dog is the animal that goes back to its vomit. (2 Peter 2:22) Probably she will return to her religion after the healing…). She expresses her faith clearly in front of all. She indirectly says that the benefits reach even those who are outsiders. Faith makes all things possible. Faith overcomes all the negative expressions of ignoring, being divisive and insulting. A person of faith will overcome all hurdles in relationship.