New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 15: Year A
Romans 11:1-2 2 and 29 to 32; Matthew 15: 10 to 28
“She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.” (Matthew 15: 27 and 28)
Prior to this incident (and part of our Gospel Reading for today) Jesus had just explained about what defiles a person. He said it is not what goes into a person (certain foods considered unclean) but rather it is what comes out of a person, sinful acts and words that defile a person. I know for myself, when I have said or done something revengeful or retaliatory, I feel sad about it. I am still a work in progress. Pray for me please.
And then we have this Canaanite woman with words of requests for her daughter’s cure coming out of her mouth. This is intercessory prayer. This is coming to our Lord Jesus of whom she did not know, but needed anyway. This is about Jesus himself learning truly who he is. (The Gospel according to Matthew is only concerned with the people of Israel.) But here we are shown the world-wide intention of God’s Salvation. God loves, and wants all people to be saved.
The very nature of God is inclusiveness, all people; period. I know that all people are not baptized. But we, who follow our Lord Jesus, continue to insist on this soul saving practice of grace. There is no exclusion from the love of God. Canaanite or Israelite, black or white, rich or poor, democrat or republican, boy or girl, bald or with curls, Jesus loves the little children of the world. All are precious in his sight.
This is again, another example where Jesus informs us about the faith that is already in us; the faith in the mother that was the source of her daughter’s healing. So it is with us today. We must first believe.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, and our schools and Maui, Hawaii.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 