Send Her Away! (not)

Greetings on this the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Romans 11:13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28

Summary

At the Vigil Mass yesterday, Fr. Tom gave a wonderful homily “What would you do for love?” on The Canaanite Woman’s Faith. I attached it here. After, or instead of, reading my reflection you can watch his homily. His homily starts at 16:52.

Still here? It was a great homily, yes?

Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” (Mt 15:23)

• We can think of a million reasons to reject another person. The Lord needs only one reason to accept a person: His own Divine Love.
• How many have we shut out of the sanctuary of the Church, from Holy Communion, and the Sanctuary of the Holy Altar?

Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.” (Mt 15:28)

Reflection

In our first and second readings today, sacred scripture outlines openness to the Gentiles and the excluded into the life of faith.

The Foreigner (Canaanite Woman)

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 (Isa 56:6-7a).

The Eunuch (transgender persons are not outside God’s invitation)

For thus says the LORD:
To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me,
and who hold fast to my covenant.
I will give them, in my house
and within my walls, a monument and a name*
Better than sons and daughters;
an eternal name, which shall not be cut off, will I give them. (Isa 56:4-5).

In our second reading, Paul supplies the reason: “the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” Our first instinct may be to send someone away. God’s movement is toward mercy.

Personal Reflection

With compassion and generosity, and with hope for the continuing conversion required of us all, we shall welcome everyone.
Send her away? NO!

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. (Isa 56:1).

For my house shall be called
a house of prayer for all peoples. (Isa 56:7c).

The promise and hope of the psalmist should keep our horizon heavenly.

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.

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.

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!
(Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8)

The caution is this observation: God widens the circle while religious people are tempted to narrow it.
The reality is exclusion has sometimes been driven by something other than the mind of Christ.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081626.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry