“The Wider Circle of Grace”

Dear Parishioners,

            Today’s Gospel reading has some lines that might be a bit challenging to understand. But when we look at them through the lens of all that Scripture and Tradition teach us—especially God’s deep love for everyone, the Church’s mission to serve the world, and the Holy Spirit’s work in bringing us together in unity and diversity—we can find a warmer, more welcoming perspective.

            As we keep all of this in mind, we may be puzzled by Jesus’ response to the Canaanite woman: It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs. Remembering that Jesus is “rabbi,” that he is the wise and good teacher, we can recognize something essential in this passage. God’s ways are not our ways. And in this puzzling scene, Christ is inviting everyone – this woman, his disciples, and us as we read his living Word – into deeper relationship, deeper faith. 

            For Christ is acting to bring about the best good possible. He is listening perfectly to his heavenly Father, who understands this woman’s heart and longs to draw her to perfect love. He knows his disciples’ assumptions and prejudices toward non-Israelites, and longs to heal them. He knows our minds and hearts, too. In our own time, even Christians can fall into the temptation of thinking that some people are less deserving of dignity and care, and so God uses this story to invite us further in.

            If Jesus’ answer to the Canaanite woman had been a simple yes – an immediate response to heal her daughter – something in his perfect plan would have been missed. Instead, his response could spark wonder, questions, movement, changes of heart. And his unexpected answers should spark the same in us. God wants to move us beyond our own prejudices. He wants to expand our vision of who is worthy of his – and our – care and concern. 

            And we see this movement in our other two readings today. Both tell the Good News that God’s plan is bigger than his own people could imagine. Our first reading from Isaiah reminds us that foreigners – indeed anyone who loves the name of the Lord and joins themselves to him – are acceptable to him. God desires that his temple be a house of prayer for all peoples, not just native-born Israelites

            In the second reading, Paul speaks of how Israel will always be God’s chosen people: The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Yet he speaks of how, in a mysterious and providential way, God allows the Israelites to reject Christ as a way of opening the Church’s ministry to the Gentiles. In the end, both the Israelites and Gentiles will be shown mercy and drawn together into one family of God. Against the backdrop of these two readings, our Gospel reveals God’s love for this Canaanite woman and for all people. 

            As we come to this Eucharist, let us ask the Lord for greater faith, that like the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel, we may have unshakable trust in God. May our faith in his goodness open our hearts so his Word can challenge the biases and prejudices we may still carry. May our hearts always be open to being surprised again by the startlingly Good News of God’s love for all people. 

            Wishing you God's blessings in the coming week.

Fr. Canisius