TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR ( A)
R1:- Isaiah 56:1.6-7
PS:- 67:2-3.5.6 and 8 (R.4)
R2:- Romans 11:13-15.29-32
Accl:- Matthew 4:23
Gosp:- Matthew 15:21-28
God wants to bless everyone. His salvation is meant for all nations. Though he sends his words to everyone, his words will bless only those who wait on him. His salvation is for those who put him first.
According to the book of Isaiah, he said, “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. ……And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him……..these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.” Isaiah 56:1-7
God’s love for everyone is evident in the life of those who put him first and trust in him, both in words and in deeds. The electric voltage from a high tension wire is not useful for domestic use until it is stepped down. We must walk worthy of God’s favour. Salvation is free, but at a price.
Moreover, In our today’s gospel, Jesus demonstrated to the Canaanite woman that God is for both the Jews and the Gentiles. He is the Lord of all flesh.
However, in one way or the other, the fate of the Canaanite woman awaits any one of us. Jesus took her through a process of faith development. He led her to see beyond a miracle worker; the son of David. He is the Lord. His Lordship is not tied to a people or a tribe. However, despite Jesus’ approach, she made it to the top. She refused to be discouraged.
This is an indication that Jesus cannot deny whoever seeks him with earnestness. We must not allow anything to discourage us. The answer may tarry, God’s blessing is worth waiting for. He will never turn deaf ear on our pleas.
Likewise, we must not be too sure that God is for us and then we take him for granted. Jews or Gentiles, black or white, big or small, God is the God of all. His hands are open to all who seek his face. He is not a partial God.
Dear beloved, taking a leaf from the Lord, let us give all our contacts the opportunity of enjoying God’s love which he has poured into out hearts. We must not throw away our blessings as a result of tribal or racial boundary.
At times, our favour may be in the hands of those who we think do not belong to our class or status. Let us relate with people above our preconceived idea of who we take them to be. God works in all to achieve his purpose.
*PRAYER*
O Lord, my mighty help, give me an open mind to accommodate others irrespective of where they come from or their status. Help me relate with everyone with the understanding that you are the Father of all. Thy kingdom come.
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