Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Twentieth Sunday of the Year, A – August 16, 2020
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: A God of All!
Sunday SynopsisThe first reading invites us to “care for justice” and “act with integrity” in imitation of God’s magnanimity. In the second reading, St. Paul discloses that he is a proud Apostle of the Gentles while revealing the universal character of God and his concern for humanity. By intervening in the sickness of the Canaanite woman’s daughter, Jesus not only reveals the universal character of God who cares for all but invites us to share the faith with others by inviting them to the Holy Mountain.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, our liturgy presents us with the universal character God as a father for cares for all.Entitled “A God for all,” our reflection reminds us that God does not mindrace, gender, creed or social standing but is kind to all those who attach themselves to him. We shall explore the background and summary of the readings so as to derive the appropriate pastoral lessons.
Background and Summary of the Readings
The first reading (Isaiah 56:1,6-7) invites the faithful to “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 reveals that the Lord would bring foreigners to his Holy Mountain because they have attached themselves to him by serving and loving his name, observing the Sabbath and keeping his Covenant.
In the second reading (Rom 11:13-15,29-32), St. Paul states that he is sent to the pagans. He further affirms that he is proud of being an Apostle of the Gentles. To buttress the point on theuniversal character of God and his concern for humanity,Paul categorically states that: “God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice” while emphasizing that he shows mercy to all mankind.
In the gospel (Matthew 15:21-28), Jesus intervenes in the sickness of the Canaanite woman’s daughter.As Jews who intermarried with other tribes and were considered Gentiles, the Canaanites do not mix with the real Jews. This accounts for why Jesus tested her faith by asking: “It is fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs?”On several occasions, Jesus would insist that he was sent to the lost Sheep of the House of Israel. Instead of being angry, she demonstrated maturity of faith by replying him: “…Even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.” In the end, Jesus praised her for her faith and healed her daughter that was tormented by the devil.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Care for All: Bybreaking down the walls of the social and cultural barriers which divide the Jews and Gentiles, our liturgy reveals the big arms of God who cares for all those who keep his statutes and challenges us to care for all people not minding their race, gender, creed or social standing.
2. Ensure Justice: Our liturgy which speaks to the heart of the pursuit of equality, freedom and justice equally challenges religious, traditional and political leaders to ensure justice in the world even as they act with integrity.
3. Gun for the Mountain: As individuals, we must aim at reaching the Holy Mountainbecause our reading states that 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. Enforce the Great Commission: 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. Be Truly Catholic:That God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice reminds us of the universal character of God and his concern for humanityand the need for us to be truly Catholic in our approach towards Jews, Muslims, African Traditional Worshipers and Christians of other faith by engaging them in meaningful dialogue and ecumenism.
6. Care for the Sick:Amidst the current COVID-19global health crisis, the Church must take the pastoral care of the sick seriously to as to win back God’s sons and daughters including others who are tormented by the devil, sickness, material possession and addictive behaviours.
7. Fight All Torments: Like the Canaanite woman whose daughter was tormented by the devil, amidst torments such asmaterialism and various addictions like desires of the flesh, alcohol, drugs and pornography, we are urged to fight the devil through the Church’s traditional weapons namely prayer (Holy Rosary), fasting and daily reception of the Holy Eucharist.
Summary Lines
1. The first reading invites the faithful to “care for justice” and “act with integrity.”
2.In the second reading, St. Paul states that he is sent to pagans.
3. To buttress the universal character of God and his concern for humanity Paul categorically states that: “God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.”
4. In the gospel (Matthew 15:21-28), Jesus intervened in the sickness of the Canaanite woman’s daughter.
5. Jesus praised her for her faith and healed her daughter that was tormented by the devil.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we are charged to make a conscious effort to pull down the cultural, social and political barriers that divide people in the world. Rather than engaging in bickering, hate speeches and racism, we are called to proclaim the gospel of the universal character of a God who cares for everyone.We must makeconcerted efforts to recreate a society which is built on love rather than race, gender, creed or social standing. May the fruits of this Holy Mass ignite in all God’s children the ardent desire to builda just and equitable society. Amen!
