God is Universal

Aug 19: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel is a re-run from a daily reading a couple weeks ago, right down to the exact same verses.

I don’t really have anything new to add, but of course, any time we read about Jesus healing someone’s daughter, I can’t help but think of Amelia. Please pray for her, the way the Canaanite woman does in today’s reading.

Pope Francis wrote: “in the hour of trial, faith brings light.”

Reading 1

Is 56:1, 6-7

Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.

The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD, and becoming his servants—all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

Isaiah is divided into three large collections of prophesies. This passage is the start of the third, called Trito-Isaiah. It’s for the Israelites returning from the Babylonian exile. They probably thought their prayers had been answered, now that they were all coming home.

But God’s not done. He has a plan to bring everyone home, through the Jews.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

This psalm is another call for universalism. The Israelite prayer for prosperity is not just for their own good. They want to call all nations to worship God, through their example.

We should consider the same thing when saying prayers of petition. If our petition is granted, what would we do? Thank God, certainly. But would we tell others about God’s goodness?

Reading 2

Rom 11:13-15, 29-32

Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.

The unbelief of the Jews has paved the way for Paul to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. The Gospel was born from Jewish culture, but their refusal made it easy to accept outside of that context.

Paul even cheekily says he hopes to fill his fellow Jews with jealousy. Once all the Gentile nations have heard the gospel, Paul expects Israel as a whole to embrace Christianity. This will be tantamount to resurrection of the dead, that is, the reappearance of Jesus Christ with all the believers at the end of time.

Israel remains dear to God (“for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable”), still the object of special providence. The Gentiles aren’t meant to replace Israelites in God’s heart, but join them there.

Alleluia

Cf. Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus started in Israel, but the Gospel doesn’t end there.

Gospel

Mt 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon."

But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."

He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me."

He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs."

She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters."

Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

First century Jews did, indeed, call gentiles “dogs.” It was not a polite thing to say. But Jesus didn’t actually say “dog” here; the word is better translated as “puppy.” He’s sort of goofing around with the terminology used at the time. It’d be kinda like calling someone a “rascal.” Technically it’s an insult, but I mean, c’mon.

And don’t forget, He called Peter Satan at one point.¹ So it’s not like Jesus wouldn’t use strong language to make a point.

God set the Jews aside to be a light for all nations, and that’s eventually where Jesus sprang up, a shoot from Jesse’s tree. Jesus focused His ministry there.

But when He sees especially strong faith outside of Judaism, like with the Centurion’s Servant,² Jesus doesn’t hold back his blessings.

This is a particularly interesting case, since the Canaanites are the ones the Israelites pushed out after the Exodus. This woman’s ancestors were there, first. Yet, she shows humility, and begs for Jesus’ help. She knows He has the power to cast out demons, when no one else does.

Later, after the Resurrection, Jesus grants this power to the Apostles and their successors, and sends them out into the whole world. The woman doesn’t know that, yet, but she still has faith in Jesus.

The Israelites lost faith, even after being rescued from slavery, while this Canaanite woman finds her faith, even while her daughter is possessed by a demon. It’s pretty obvious who we should be modeling ourselves after today.

1. Mt 16:23

2. Mt 8:5-13