A Love without Borders

HOMILY: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 15:21-28

August 20, 2023

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

One time a priest friend and I were travelling together to attend a meeting in Manila from Quezon City. The traffic was so bad since it was a Fright-Day, Flight-Day. On a street where traffic was almost at a standstill, a very tiny girl knocked on our car window to sell Sampaguita flowers to us. I advised my friend who is from the province to just “knock” on the car window as a signal for her to go leave us alone since we are in a hurry. To my irritation, my friend lowered the car’s window on his side and spoke with the little girl and asked her whether she goes to school or not, what school she went to, what was her favourite subject, etc. I was sure the girl was only making some things up but my friend did not mind at all. He eventually gave the girl money and water because he said: “Naawa siya sa bata”.  (He pitied the girl.) 

This incident reminded me of the contrast between the way the disciples and Jesus dealt with the Canaanite woman in the gospel. Notice the reaction of Jesus’ disciples: “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” (Matthew 15:23) They were irritated with her because she was not a Jew and they felt she was different from them and so did not deserve the benefit of Jesus’ attention. With such a reaction, Jesus took this as a wonderful opportunity to teach His disciples a lesson. Jesus engages with the woman and is impressed by her faith and perseverance. She was not going to give up until He had cured her daughter. Here was a Gentile woman who exuded faith being judged by Jesus’ disciples who had just proved their lack of faith when they saw Him walking on the water. We recall that last Sunday’s gospel passage they feared the storm and the image of Jesus coming to them on the water. Jesus even tells Peter  as  He saves him from drowning “Oh you of little faith!” (Matthew 8:26).

When someone approaches us looking for help, do we take the time to engage even in a  brief conversation with the person in need? Do we even attempt to understand the circumstance of the person and what led them to seek help? Do we automatically reject people we don’t know or don’t like when they ask our help?  Do we think we are better than them? Like the disciples, our usual response is to immediately presume we know all the answers and write people off according to our assumptions.  On the other hand, when we know the person well enough and that person has repetitively approached us for help, do we put a limit on the number of times we extend assistance?  Jesus does not make distinctions and He does not count the number of times He shows mercy. 

Our readings this Sunday remind us that God’s love and mercy are universal – inclusive, all-encompassing, complete – for all peoples of all time. In the Second Reading, St. Paul speaks to the Gentiles acknowledging how God has extended His mercy to them because they now obey God. He compares them with the Jews who now reject God and he expresses his wish that one day Israel may once again be reconciled with God. The passage from the prophet Isaiah emphasises how God longs to be in relationship with ALL peoples. He is a God who desires that “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7). It doesn’t matter whether they are “locals” or “foreigners.” God’s justice and salvation are generously promised and given to all who sincerely seek the Lord, who minister to Him, who love Him, who serve Him, who keep Holy the Sabbath and who hold to His covenant in their hearts. 

Let us ask the Lord then that we be graced to have even just a tiny bit of this Canaanite woman’s faith to help us rise above life’s challenges. And as disciples of Jesus, let us allow Our Lord to teach us how to respond more compassionately with those who are in need among us. Let us make others feel that the love of God knows no bounds and is meant for everyone.

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