Homily For The 20th Sunday In The Ordinary Time (A) August 20, 2023.
“Let no obstacles deter you from proceeding with courage.”– St. Mary MacKillop
Sunday Readings
My Dearest Friends In Christ,
We are indeed privileged to witness another bright Sunday morning. We thank God for the gift of today as we pray to Him to inspire our faith through His Word.
Perseverance In Faith
Today’s readings remind us that perseverance in our faith is the way of unlocking the mercy and generosity of God. The Canaanite woman didn’t give up despite the seeming insult or rejection from Christ and His apostles.
It has been said that those who really know what they want in life and where to find it, never give up no matter the prevailing hard conditions. Those who do not persevere, and who easily give up faith, are those who lack the focus and conviction of that for which they are searching. The life of the Canaanite woman’s daughter was at stake. She knew that Jesus could heal her daughter and she persisted until she got what she wanted.
Refuse To be Detered By Circumstances Around You
The Gospel reading is central to today’s reflection on persevering in faith and refusing to be deterred by unwelcoming circumstances. Christ’s mission is first to the household of Israel but not limited to the geographical boundaries of Israel. His mission is also to the Gentiles and to the entire world. The Gospel captures the dramatic episode between Jesus and a Canaanite woman. When Jesus entered the pagan territory of Tyre and Sidon, a Canaanite woman came to beg for the healing of her daughter who is tormented by a demon. The woman is a descendant of the ancient Canaanites, who were bitter biblical enemies of Israel and whose paganism had often led Israel into idolatry. So this woman was seen as an unclean person. For some scholars, it is only prostitutes that talk to a man in public, therefore this woman was breaking societal boundaries. Yet, even Rahab who was mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus was a prostitute and a Canaanite woman who lived in Jericho (cf. Mathew 1:5). Both saints and sinners have a place in Christ Jesus.
Jesus’ response is, perhaps, the most perplexing piece of this narrative. At first, He does not say a word to her, but He doesn’t send her away. Only after her persistence does He converse with her. The disciples themselves don’t even want to have anything to do with her because she is not Jewish and she is pestering them. So they tell Jesus to “Send her away”! They tried to do the same when faced with more than 5,000 hungry people. “Send the crowds away,” the disciples said. Well, we do not blame the disciples for their reaction because they do not truly understand Jesus’ identity and the nature of His mission. They would have preferred that Jesus concentrate on His mission in Isreal and forget whatever or whoever is not of Isreal.
Dear child of God, do not send people away especially when you can help them get what they want. Don’t look down on people because life has forced them to act in an unconventional manner. If you happen to be in their situation, you will understand better. “Extend mercy toward others, so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His Mercy from us?” – St. Vincent de Paul
Remember, Jesus never sent her away. Jesus’ refusal to listen to the disciples gave the woman hope that her request would be heard. She does something that is significant in this Gospel. She kneels before Jesus. A gesture of humility and respect accorded to a king.
Why then did Jesus literally call her a dog? Isn’t that very harsh and insulting? “It is not fair to throw the children’s food to the dogs.” was Jesus’ response to her and she responded in a manner that reveals the depth of her faith and inner conviction. For many of us who lack perseverance, this would have ended their request. They would have gone away angrily insulting the other for calling them a dog. Calling a woman a dog has a deeper negative connection in my culture; it could possibly mean she is a prostitute. Jesus is not cursing the woman or insulting her. He is putting her off. (cf Matt 8:7) It is possible that He is testing her, as teachers sometimes tested their disciples (Jn 6:6; Lev. 22:6). It seems He is certainly reluctant to grant her request and is providing an obstacle for her faith (cf. Jn 2:4). Perhaps He is requiring her to understand His true mission and identity, lest she treats Him as one of the many wandering magicians to whom Gentiles sometimes appealed for exorcisms.
The Canaanite woman refuses to dispute that Jesus’ mission is to Israel first and that her status is secondary to that of the Israelites. She believes Jesus will have more than enough power left over from what Israel does not need or want. Jesus responds to her striking faith: “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed. Faith is the only means of access to the heart of God. It does not matter who you are or where you are. With faith, you can literally have God do anything for you. This confirms what the first reading of today says, “The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord will be brought to the mountain of the Lord”. Jesus’ compassion and granting her request reiterates what Paul says in the second reading, that God shows His mercy upon all.
It is our business as a Church to constantly enter new territory, break boundaries, and meet new people. God is in the unsettling business of meeting outsiders and granting them not just a crumb, but a place at the table. So it should be with us. “I will go anywhere and do anything in order to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him.” – St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
May God give you persevering faith. Do not give up even if people look down on you or mock you, for your hope and faith in Christ will open the doors of healing and blessings for you.
I keep you and your family always in my prayers. ©Clem C. Aladi (2024)
