20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A
17th August 2008 (HTC/HTC/HTC)
Isaiah 56:1. 6-7; Psalm 66:2-3. 5-6. 8. R/ v. 4; Romans 11:13-15. 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28

Theme: JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SAVE NOT ONLY THE JEWS, BUT ALL
PEOPLES

1. Today is the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. The readings today tell us that Jesus Christ came to save not only the Jews, but all peoples!
The gospel today tells us that a Canaanite woman approached Jesus and asked him to heal her daughter who was possessed by a devil. Jesus responded by saying that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, that is, the Jews. Again, Jesus said that it is not fair to take the food of the children and throw it to the house-dogs. The food is Jesus, the children are the Israelites, and the house-dogs are the Gentiles, the non-Jews!
But the woman responded by saying that even the house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from the master’s table! Jesus then praised the woman for her humility and faith, and cured her daughter that instant!
Again, the gospel today tells us that Jesus Christ came not only to save the Jews, but to save all peoples!

2. The first reading follows the theme of the gospel. The first reading also tells us that salvation is not only for the Jews, but for all peoples! Thus we read in the first reading:
“Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love his name and be his servants – all who observe the Sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”! (Is 56:6-7)

3. The responsorial psalm follows the theme of the first reading. The responsorial psalm is a call to all the nations to praise God! (HCSB) The nations are called to praise God because God blessed Israel with justice and salvation! And in praising and worshiping the God of Israel, all the nations will also be blessed with justice and salvation!
Thus the third stanza of the responsorial psalm: “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. May God still give us his blessing till the ends of the earth revere him.”! (Ps 66:6. 8)
And thus the response of the responsorial psalm: “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.”! (Ps 66:4)

4. Incidentally, the second reading today follows the theme of the Sunday! The second reading has something very important to tell us! The second reading tells us that in the end, all will be saved; even the Jews who rejected Jesus will also be saved! And more importantly, they will be saved by the mercy of God! They will not be saved by the Law! They will not be saved by law, justice and punishment, but they will be saved by the love, mercy and forgiveness of God!
Thus we read in the second reading: “God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice. Just as you changed from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of their disobedience, so those who are disobedient now – and only because of the mercy shown to you – will also enjoy mercy eventually. God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.”! (Rm 11:29-32)

5. Today in the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and the Risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit, and send us out into the world to proclaim the good news of His love, mercy and forgiveness, so that all the nations may believe and be saved!

Amen!

Suggested questions for individual reflection and for sharing in the families, in small groups, and in small communities:

1. Do you proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, the good news of His love, mercy and forgiveness to all the nations? Do you know of anyone who proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ, the good news of His love, mercy and forgiveness to all the nations?

2. Do you believe that in the end even the Jews who rejected Jesus will believe in Jesus and be saved? Do you believe that in the end all peoples and all nations will believe in Jesus and be saved?

3. What does this verse from the second reading of today say to you: “God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.”? (Rm 11:32)
What does this verse from Romans 5:20 say to you: “But however much sin increased, grace was always greater.”? (NJB)

4. What do these themes from the “World Day of Peace” Messages of Pope John Paul II say to you about Forgiveness and Peace:
(i) “No Peace without Justice, No Justice without Forgiveness.”? (1 January 2002)
(ii) “Offer Forgiveness and Receive Peace.”? (1 January 1997)

5. (a) Is there peace in the world? Is there forgiveness in the world?
(b) Is there peace in Malaysia? Is there forgiveness in Malaysia?
(c) Is there peace in your family/community? Is there forgiveness in your family/community?

6. What does the response of the responsorial psalm say to you: “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.”? (Ps 66:4)

7. (a) What does the caption of the second reading say to you: “With Israel, God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.”? (Rm 11:29)
(b) What does this extract from the second reading say to you: “Just as you changed from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of their disobedience, so those who are disobedient now – and only because of the mercy shown to you – will also enjoy mercy eventually. God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.”? (Rm 11:30-32)

8. What does the Opening Prayer of today’s Mass say to you: “Almighty God, ever-loving Father, your care extends beyond the boundaries of race and nation to the hearts of all who live. May the walls, which prejudice raises between us, crumble beneath the shadow of your outstretched arm.”?

9. What does the Communion Antiphon of today’s Mass say to you: “With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.”?

10. Read aloud to the group any verse or verses that touch you in today’s readings: “….”

11. Are there any other experiences that you would like to share?

12. Are there any prayers that you would like to say in response to the word of God?

Holy Trinity Church (HTC), Jalan Melati, Off Mile 1½, Jalan Kuhara, Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.
15TH AUGUST 2008

NB: Typewritten and audio homilies in English and Bahasa Malaysia are available at: http://frnick.net

References: The International Bible Commentary (IBC); The HarperCollins Study Bible (HCSB); The Catholic Study Bible (CSB); The New Jerusalem Bible (NJB); The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (NJBC); Christian Community Bible (CCB); The Sunday Missal (SM).