20th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Isaiah 56:1, 6–7
Psalm 67:2–3, 5, 6, 8
Romans 11:13–15, 29–32
Matthew 15:21–28
“O God, let all the nations praise you!” The acclamation from the Responsorial Psalm is a prayer of hope and a call to action. We ask God to accomplish His purpose to bring all the nations, all peoples of every culture to a living relationship of praise. When all the nations are gathered into this unity of prayer and purpose, the will of God for humanity is established.
At the same time, if we have hearts ready to understand it, we are called to be part of the action of gathering. Others will come to praise the Lord when they see us thriving in our own relationship with God and when they hear us inviting them to share our joy. The cry of the heart that overflows with delight in God Himself leads to a greater understanding of Who God Is and what He offers.
The vision Isaiah presents of God’s justice and salvation is the unity of the nations where the life of God’s people is the common practice of all humanity.
“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.”
God’s plan has always been to redeem all of humanity. How God’s plan unfolds is the drama of salvation history. In the Gospel, we see Jesus marveling at the reception being given to Him and His power to heal and save by the Syro-Phoenician woman. He gives an exclamation of surprise and delight in her: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
His mission was “only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He would leave to His disciples and to His Church the extension of this mission to the world. Yet, in response to faith that is clear and direct, He begins the unfolding of this plan with the healing of the woman’s daughter.
Many tend to see faith as something that is private and personal, not to be shared beyond a few intimates. The Scriptures present another perspective. Faith is the doorway to the truth that must be accepted so that salvation may be ours. It calls down the healing power of God to address our deepest longings and needs.
Although at times it might seem to be something beyond us, if we have the faith witnessed by the Syro-Phoenician woman, we can be sure of the Lord’s response. She loved her daughter, and she could acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Son of David.
She did not argue with Him about His mission. Instead, she pointed out that an abundance is available. She was content with “leftovers” and “scraps that fall from the table” because she saw that it was the gift of salvation for all.
When the world is drawing lines and highlighting divisions, we are called to acknowledge that whatever appearances might be, God’s will is for all to share in the riches He offers. We must rise above the polarization of our times. The temptation is for us to ignore the cries of those who are not with us. Our call, rather, is to seek them out and work with the Church and God’s Spirit to bring about the salvation of the world.
The disciples who observed His action of healing the woman’s daughter in response to her plea and her perseverance in faith were the ones sent out to the world. Each one took the mission of salvation to others, some to those among the lost sheep of the house of Israel and many to the Gentiles.
The gradual unfolding of salvation continues in our day. Can you hear the Lord’s invitation to you to persevere in faith? To whom are you being sent to make salvation known?