Aug 11, 2014
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28
Most of us are the foreigners, the non-Israelites, about whom
today's First Reading prophesies.
Coming to worship the God of Israel, we stand in the line of faith
epitomized by the Canaanite woman in today's Gospel. Calling to
Jesus as Lord and Son of David, this foreigner shows her great
faith in God's covenant with Israel.
Jesus tests her faith three times. He refuses to answer her cry.
Then, He tells her His mission is only to Israelites. Finally, he
uses "dog," an epithet used to disparage non-Israelites (see
Matthew 7:6). Yet she persists, believing that He alone offers
salvation.
In this family drama, we see fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy and the
promise we sing of in today's Psalm. In Jesus, God makes known
among all the nations His way and His salvation (see
John 14:6).
At the start of salvation history, God called Abraham (see
Genesis 12:2). He chose his offspring, Israel, from all the
nations on the face of the earth, to build His covenant kingdom
(see
Deuteronomy 7:6-8;
Isaiah 41:8).
In God's plan, Abraham was to be the father of many nations (see
Romans 4:16-17). Israel was to be the firstborn of a worldwide
family of God, made up of all who believe what the Canaanite
professes - that Jesus is Lord (see
Exodus 4:22-23;
Romans 5:13-24).
Jesus came first to restore the kingdom to Israel (see
Acts 1:6;
13:46). But His ultimate mission was the reconciliation of the
world, as Paul declares in today's Epistle.
In the Mass we join all peoples in doing Him homage. As Isaiah
foretold, we come to His holy mountain, the heavenly Jerusalem, to
offer sacrifice at His altar (see
Hebrews 12:22-24,28). With the Canaanite, we take our place at
the Master's table, to be fed as His children.