If we are honest with ourselves, life is about relationships: Acceptance and rejection. We make decisions based upon our perception of a multitude of criteria that fall into our comfort zone. If we believe it is good for us, we accept. If not, we reject it and move on.
God realizes there are differences in the world, especially in practicing one’s faith. He also knows that without His help it is hard for us to walk a righteous path of faith, hope and love when Satan is constantly attacking us in every direction we take. It is for these reasons that he gives us numerous gifts to tolerate the annoyances and outright attack from the negativities of life.
Our readings and Gospel this 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time are about making choices that will change our life whether we accept or reject them. This is especially important when it comes to practicing our faith.
In our first reading from the 56th Chapter of the Book of Isaiah, Israelites are returning from their exile in Babylon. To help them understand the true nature of religion, the primary theme of this passage is about acceptance of outsiders. Exclusivity must now be looked at as all those who believe the Lord and look to find ways to serve Him beyond the Temple precincts. God’s house needs to become “a house of prayer for all peoples.”
St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, has as its principal theme the difference in relationship between Judaism and Christianity which each claims to be the way of salvation. Christianity regarded itself as the prophetic development and fulfillment of the faith of the Old Testament, declaring that the preparatory Mosaic covenant must now give way to the new and more perfect covenant in Jesus Christ. Judaism, on the other hand, held fast to the Mosaic covenant, as a continuation, rejecting Christ as their savior.
As per usual, St. Matthew’s Gospel sums up true faith in the encounter Jesus has with the Canaanite woman who comes to have her daughter cured from demonic tormenting. It is in the struggle to have this happen that we see how difficult it is to either accept or reject why God calls us to be obedient to His will and trusting in His ways.
This particular interaction with a pagan woman illustrates Jesus in a different light than how He even treats the Pharisees. She does Him homage by addressing Him as God and the Messiah. He ignores her as if she does not exist. He seems cruel and shocking in His responses. Why? What point is He trying to make?
If we consider the tone of voice Jesus uttered His words, we might take an opposite point of view. To do this we need to remember that the Jews considered the Canaanites as enemies, pagans, idolaters and unclean. Maybe Jesus was doing this in a testing and joking way? In the end, He heals her daughter and complements the woman by telling her she has a great faith even though she is not a follower.
We don’t know if she changed, but we do know that Jesus accepted her because she shared what she felt in her heart for her daughter with love and hope. Isn’t this what our faith is all about; following the ways of the Lord in service to others whether you are a baptized Catholic or a person who believes in God and in His ways?
Let us take this week to look into our heart when it comes to being in service to those in need, whether they are fellow worshippers or those trying to find their way with the Lord. God is only interested in your eternal salvation and in what you need for that. That is how we accept our relationship with the Lord in obedience to His will. It gives us what we need to have faith for all that we need and do both in and out of our comfort zone as Catholics or otherwise.
Reading 1: Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7
Reading 2: Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32
Gospel: Matthew 15: 21-28
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