St. Joseph Catholic Church

20^th SUNDAY in Ordinary Time (A) August 20, 2017

Isaiah 56: 6-7; Psalm 67; Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15: 21-28

by Jude Siciliano, OP

From today’s Gospel reading:

And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district [Tyre and Sidon] came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!"...

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:

Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for his lack of strict observance of religious customs and traditions. He responded by calling them hypocrites who only pay lip service to God. In contrast, Jesus praised the pagan Canaanite woman for having great faith. So, who are the truly pious and observant in Jesus’ eyes? Those who see in him God’s gracious desire to heal, forgive and welcome to the table.

So we ask ourselves: