Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twentieth Sunday of the Year, A – August 20, 2017

Readings: Isaiah 56:1,6-7; Responsorial Psalm Ps 66:2-3,5-6,8; 

Rom 11:13-15,29-32 & Gospel Matthew 15:21-28.

Theme: The Universal Character of God and his Concern for Humanity! 

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, today our readings present us with the universal character God as a father for cares for all not minding their race, gender, creed or social standing. The first reading (Isaiah 56:1,6-7) commences with a charge to “have a care for justice” and “act with integrity.”  It also assures of the Lord’s salvation and integrity which are manifest in the world. The reading particularly notes that the Lord would bring foreigners to his Holy Mountain because they have attached themselves to him by serving and loving his name as well as observing the Sabbath and keeping his covenant. It is clear that the reading reveals the big arms of God who cares for all people provided they keep his statutes.

The message of the first reading is amplified in the second reading (Rom 11:13-15,29-32) wherein St. Paul is not ashamed to proclaim that he is sent to pagans. In fact, he affirms that he is proud to be an apostle to the Gentles. To buttress the theme of our reflection “The Universal Character of God and his Concern for Humanity,” St. Paul categorically states that: “God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.” He emphasized that God also shows his mercy to all mankind.

Little wonder then, the message of the gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) reinforces the two readings. Here, Jesus intervenes in the sickness of the daughter of a Canaanite woman. It is important to note that the Canaanites do not mix with the Jews; they were Jews who intermarried with other tribes and so were considered Gentiles. In the discussion between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, you would observe that Jesus tells her, “It is fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs?”  This meant that Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Ordinarily, the woman was supposed to be angry but because she knew who she was dealing with and what she wanted, she retorted, “Ah yes, Sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.” In the end, Jesus praises her for her faith and from that hour, her daughter who had been tormented by a devil got healed. That Jesus broke the social barrier between Jews and Gentiles further reveals the universal character of the God we worship. This speaks to the heart of the pursuit of equality, freedom and justice in the world. We shall now take a look at the various kinds of torments people go throw in the light of the pastoral implications of our liturgy.

Types of Torments People Undergo/Pastoral Implications

1. Torments by the Devil: In our world today, many people are tormented by the devil like the daughter of the Canaanite woman. It behooves the Church to take the pastoral care of these precious souls seriously. Pastors of souls and the healing ministry of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal has an enormous task in coming to the aid of those who are tormented by various types of evil spirits. On their part, those who have been exorcised of demonic attacks must make a constant commitment to prayer and mortification otherwise, if the devil comes back, remedy may be out of sight.

2. Torments of Sickness: Aside from death, sickness is man’s number one enemy.  It is when people are sick that you know their faith. Most times, when people are healthy, their perspective of God is good but when they fall sick, especially if it is a terminal illness, it is very easy for them to think that God has forsaken them. In that situation, their perspective of God changes; they become gullible and those taking care of them could easily take them to various places sometimes even to native doctors in search for a cure. Today, the Canaanite woman goes to Jesus and finds cure for her ailing daughter. When you or yours are sick, where do you go to or take them to? 

3. Torments of Materialism: In a world crazy for materials belongings, some Christians are tormented by material possessions. This has made them to literally worship cars, shoes, clothes, houses and the like. Sadly, pastors of souls too are caught up in web of materialism. Perhaps it is reason why Pope Francis recently said, it saddens him when priests ride the latest cars.  

4. Torments of Addiction: Addiction is like a sickness. It comes in different forms and can torment anybody irrespective of age or social standing. Some common addictions which torment people are:   

(a) Addiction to the Flesh: Call it prostitution, sexual pervasion or sin of the flesh, the addiction to fornication, adultery, lesbianism, homosexuality and bestiality has made many people to lose their human dignity. The torment is such that they have lost touch with shame, sense of guilt or remorse; the feeling of respect for self or God is far from their dictionary. Only a conscious awareness of God and the fact that they are created in his image and likeness can turn things around in their lives. If they can honestly approach God like the Canaanite woman, he is able to do much more than they can ask or imagine.    

(b) Addiction to Alcohol or Drugs: The addiction to alcohol or drugs has sent many people to their early graves; some have suffered one accident or the other; there are others whose career or marriage has gone down the drain because of addiction to alcohol or drugs. These people need prayer, mortification and counseling if they must be integrated into society.

(c) Addiction to Pornography: Most young people are lured into phonographic sites no thanks to the internet and smart phones. The content on the mobile phones of many young people is both shaming and sickening. Like the daughter of the Canaanite woman, they are tormented by pornographic material which destroys their morals and souls. Only Jesus can change things around in their lives; parents have an enormous responsibility in censoring the content on their children’s phones and giving them godly advise; like the Canaanite woman, they should always approach the throne of God on behalf of their children.

Take Home Lessons

1.      Like God our Father, we must care for all people not minding their race, gender, creed or social standing.   

2.      Our liturgy charges religious, traditional and political leaders to ensure justice in the world and act with integrity. 

3.      All those who attach themselves to the Lord by serving and loving his name as well as observing the Sabbath and keeping his covenant, he will bring to his Holy Mountain.

4.      Just as St. Paul was proud to be an apostle of the Gentles, Pastors of souls must ensure that the Gospel reaches to the ends of the earth.

5.      That God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice reminds us of the universal character of God and his concern for humanity.

6.      The Church must take the pastoral care of the sick seriously to as to win back God’s sons and daughters who are tormented by the devil, sickness, material possession and addiction.

Homiletic Quotes to Remember:

ü  The Lord would bring foreigners to his Holy Mountain because they have attached themselves to him by serving and loving his name.

ü  Jesus broke the social barrier between Jews and Gentiles and further reveals the universal character of the God we worship.

ü  Our liturgy speaks to the heart of the pursuit of equality, freedom and justice in the world.

ü  God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.

ü  The awareness that they are created in his image and likeness can turn things around in the lives of those addicted to the sin of the flesh.

ü  Those addicted to alcohol or drugs need prayer, mortification and counseling if they must be integrated into society.

ü  The content on the mobile phones of many young people is both shaming and sickening needing parental guidance.

ü  Like the Canaanite woman, parents should always approach God’s throne on behalf of their children.

Conclusion

Our liturgy calls us to make a conscious effort of breaking the cultural, social and political barriers that divide people in the world. Rather than engage in bickering, hate speeches and racism, we are called to proclaim the gospel of The Universal Character of God and his Concern for Humanity. This means that our world must be built on love which does not mind race, gender, creed or social standing. In conclusion, we pray that the fruits of this Holy Mass would unite all God’s children throughout the world in building a just, equitable and egalitarian world. Amen!