GROW AS A DISCIPLE
I have often wondered why Jesus’ words to the Gentile woman in today’s Gospel sound so harsh. The woman was simply asking Jesus to heal her daughter, as so many others before her had done. Jesus’ reply that he had been sent only to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” may have been true under the old covenant. But with his coming, Jesus initiated the new covenant where all are invited, all are welcome. Through the woman’s gift of faith (whose prayer says simply, “Lord, help me”), she brings herself and her daughter into the joy and goodness of the kingdom. Jesus commends her faith (and her persistence) and heals her daughter. This passage demonstrates the healing God wishes to provide for all of his people.
GO EVANGELIZE
Thus says the Lord in Isaiah: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Responsorial psalm: “O God, let all the nations praise you!” Jesus to the Canaanite (Gentile) woman: “O woman, great is your faith!” Our readings today spell out loud and clear that our God’s love and forgiveness is meant for all. Not just the few. This is good news, indeed. What does God ask of us in return? He asks that we strive to do what is right … what is just. In short, we must join [our]selves to the Lord, as Isaiah says, and God will welcome us into his holy kingdom. How do we do that? We can start by trying to imitate the generosity of God’s grace and welcome those who seek God’s mercy and healing. In other words, we reach out in love to each other and seek to build up the unity of his Church, the Body of Christ.
WELCOME
On some level, all the readings today speak of disparate people coming to the faith: foreigners, all the nations, the Gentiles, a Canaanite woman. Does your parish have some form of welcoming ministry – a welcome desk, ushers, greeters? The power of a friendly smile, a warm handshake, a disposition of “we’re happy you’re here” cannot be underestimated for visitors to our churches. Consider becoming a part of the team that welcomes the stranger to your parish.
By The Faithful Disciple