Beyond the lost sheep of Israel ~ 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 56:1, 6-7
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (4)
Rom 11:13-15, 29-32
Mt 15:21-28

It appears that wherever Jesus went, people were drawn to him. His teachings and the miracles that occurred as he ministered to the people caused even non-Jewish peoples to recognize that a prophet, a holy man had entered their lives.

And thus it was with the Canaanite woman in Matthew's Gospel who came to Jesus for help. Her daughter was being tormented by a demon. This foreigner had seen what marvels Jesus had accomplished and she had faith that he could release her daughter from the demon.

Strangely, we see Jesus being uncharacteristically unsympathetic to this troubled mother. He claimed he was sent "only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" and that it was not right "to take the food of children and throw it to the dogs." (Mt 15:21ff)

But the woman was persistent. She refused to become discouraged at Jesus' words and instead, she responded with courage to his remarks.

Her persistence paid off! "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." (Mt 15:28) ...and her daughter was healed.

What lesson does this incident that occurred during the public life of Jesus have for us today? For one thing, in order to be effective in our prayer life, we must first be reconciled to others and to conform to God's commands.

We must also have faith and turn to God when we have a need and then, to be persistent in our prayer, just as the Canaanite woman was. We cannot become discouraged if our prayers are not immediately answered. Our response comes in God's time, not ours.

We are assured by today's readings that Jesus came to bring salvation to everyone. His salvation goes beyond race or nation. ALL are included. As the psalmist says as he praises God: "So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation." (Ps 67:3)


~ Image: Christ and the Canaanite Woman by Germain-Jean Drouais
at Free Christ Images