Introduction: Today's liturgy invites us to be open to the ways of God in saving people of various religions, castes, languages and ethnic origins. In the first reading Prophet Isaiah looks beyond the chosen people of God. He affirms that the Lord God's salvation is inclusive of everyone, no matter to what religion or race they belong. All they need is faith in the Lord God. In the Gospel this fact is illustrated when a Canaanite woman (a non-Jew) approaches Jesus and requests Him to heal her daughter possessed by a demon. After initial hesitation, listening to her persistent appeal, Jesus grants her wish and her daughter is healed.
First Reading: Isaiah 56: 1 and 6 to 7
Second Reading: Romans 11: 13 to 15 and 29 to 32
Gospel Reading: Matthew 15: 21 to 28
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah looks forward to a time when salvation for all nations and races is granted by the Lord God. He affirms that the salvation promised by the Lord God is inclusive of all: It is not limited to one's nationality, race or religious affiliations. It is open to everyone who worships the Lord God with sincerity of heart, no matter where they come from.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul explains to the Christians at Rome that God never takes back His call and His gifts. He affirms that in order to receive the gifts of God and to live His call, we have to accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We receive the mercy of God by turning away from our sinful ways and by turning to the love of God.
Jesus heals the daughter of a Canaanite woman Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. A Canaanite woman pleads with Jesus to heal her daughter who is possessed by a demon. At that time, Jews and Canaanites had a hostile relationship. At first, Jesus does not respond to the woman's desperate pleas. The disciples are disturbed and they too plead with Jesus to grand her request. Jesus cites the reason for His inaction. He tells them that His ministry is limited to the Jews. It is not reasonable that the bread of the children is given to the house dogs. He has come to bring back the lost sheep of Israel. However, this woman does not take Jesus' no for an answer. She persists with her request. She humbly accepts her unworthiness and tells Jesus: "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Hearing her reply, Jesus praises her faith and grants her wish and her daughter is healed. In this context Bishop Desmond Tutu says: "God's dream is that you and I and all of us realise that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness and for compassion." St. Thomas Merton says: "The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings which are part of one another and all involved in one another."
Conclusion: This miracle story illustrates to us the following: 1. We need to be persistent in our prayers even when our prayers are not immediately answered. 2. No one is to be denied of God's love, mercy and healing touch because he or she does not belong to a particular caste, race or a particular religious tradition. We should never take a negative and fascist way of looking at others. All are God's children, even those whom we consider illiterate, outcast, or worthless. God takes care of each of them. The Canaanite woman in the Gospel is the teacher of servants of God.
May the Lord Jesus, who healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman and praised her faith, bless you and heal you from all your infirmities and evil inclinations. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph in YouTube follows. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version. Thanks.)
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