Lectionary: 118
Reading 1
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 burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be acceptable on my altar,
for my house shall be called
a house of prayer for all peoples.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R/ (4) 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.
R/ O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R/ O God, let all the nations praise you!
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!
R/ O God, let all the nations praise you!
Reading 2
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Brothers and sisters:
I am speaking to you Gentiles.
Inasmuch 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
Matthew 15:21-28
At that time, Jesus 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 Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus’ 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 Jesus 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 the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: WHAT IS JESUS TEACHING US TODAY?
Jesus "withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon." –Matthew 15:21
Let's look at today's Gospel passage of a "politically incorrect" interaction from the viewpoint of discipleship. Jesus took his disciples into Tyre and Sidon, a pagan, Gentile stronghold. Jesus wanted to retreat far away from Jewish territory and spend undisturbed time with His disciples, teaching them in a "retreat." In all contexts, Jesus was always teaching His disciples.
How did Jesus teach the disciples in this interaction?
Jesus ignores the Gentile woman (Mt 15:23). The disciples, and all Jews, had ignored Gentiles their entire lives, and Jesus illustrated their behavior back to them.Next, the disciples told Jesus to send the woman away (Mt 15:23). Again, Jesus teaches His disciples, by not sending her away. Disciples are supposed to bring people to Jesus, not send them away.Third, Jesus refers to the woman, and all Gentiles, as "dogs" (Mt 15:26). He is showing the disciples how callously they have been treating Gentiles their entire lives.Finally, Jesus teaches His disciples the great lesson that Gentiles also hunger for God's love and healing, as do the Jews. Jesus treated the woman as the disciples had been treating her. Then He treated her as God wanted and healed her daughter (Mt 15:28).
The disciples got the message, for Peter later baptized many Gentiles (Acts 10:48). Will we get the message? Are we lovingly bringing people to Jesus or rudely sending them away?
PRAYER: Jesus, when You hold a mirror in front of me, may I see the reality of my life, repent, and live as Your faithful servant.
PROMISE: "God's gifts and His call are irrevocable." –Rm 11:29
PRAISE: Praise You, risen Lord Jesus, Teacher, Master, and Lord! Glory and praise to You forever and ever!
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