DAILY- HOMILY

AUGUST 14, 2011
20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – A

Is 56:1, 6-7 / Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 / Rom 11:13-15, 29-32 / Mt 15:21-28

ISAIAH 56:1, 6-7
Thus says Yahweh: Maintain what is right and do what is just, for my
salvation is close at hand, my justice is soon to come. Yahweh says to
the foreigners who join him, serving him and loving his name, keeping
his sabbath unprofaned and remaining faithful to his covenant: I will
bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of
prayer. I will accept on my altar their burnt offerings and
sacrifices, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the
nations.

ROMANS 11:13-15, 29-32
Brothers and sisters, listen to me, you who are not Jews: I am
spending myself as an apostle to the pagan nations, but I hope my
ministry will be successful enough to awaken the jealousy of those of
my race, and finally to save some of them. If the world made peace
with God when they remained apart, what will it be when they are
welcomed? Nothing less than a passing from death to life. The call of
God and his gift cannot be nullified. Through the rebellion of the
Jews the mercy of God came to you who did not obey God. They in turn
will receive mercy in due time after this rebellion that brought God's
mercy to you. So God has submitted all to disobedience, in order to
show his mercy to all.

MATTHEW 15:21-28
At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Now a
Canaanite woman came from those borders and began to cry out, "Lord,
Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is tormented by a demon."
But Jesus did not answer her, not even a word. So his disciples
approached him and said, "Send her away: see how she is shouting after
us." Then Jesus said to her, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the
nation of Israel." But the woman was already kneeling before Jesus and
said, "Sir, help me!" Jesus answered, "It is not right to take the
bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs." The woman
replied, "It is true, sir, but even the little dogs eat the crumbs
which fall from their master's table." Then Jesus said, "Woman, how
great is your faith! Let it be as you wish." And her daughter was
healed at that moment.

REFLECTION
When was the last time we did something extra? Why did we go beyond
duty? To whom or for whom did we do it?

Today's encounter of Jesus with the Canaanite woman is an example of
how Jesus went beyond his original mission which was to bring back the
chosen people to his Father. Seeing the faith of this woman as
evidenced by her persistence and humility, Jesus could not simply
ignore her. He was just impressed with the attitude and disposition of
this woman who was willing to do anything for the welfare of her
daughter who was already suffering much. Isn't it edifying to see how
far a person is willing to go because of love? In another instance,
Jesus healed a foreigner, giving us the clear message that his mission
was indeed universal. His task to proclaim the love, compassion, and
mercy of his Father was made available to anyone willing to listen.
This is of course fulfilled later on by Paul whom we know became the
apostle of the Gentiles. This theme of universalism is also found in
the first reading from the prophet Isaiah. Yahweh indicates His
acceptance of those foreigners who are not originally part of His
Chosen people by saying that they will be brought to His holy mountain
only if they shall be faithful to His laws and commandments. God's
house of prayer shall be made available to all peoples whose burnt
offerings and sacrifices are acceptable only if these are done
together with their faithfulness to God's statutes. In other words,
the Lord has an open invitation to the foreigners to come and worship
Him as long as they are faithful to the precepts and commandments of
Yahweh. For indeed the house of Yahweh shall be a house of prayer for
all peoples.

Is there anything today that we feel Jesus is calling us to do the
extra mile? What is it that Jesus wants us to do in order to respond
to an authentic need? Why do we choose to respond to the invitation of
Jesus? Is it because of the realization that there is indeed a need?
Are we doing it out of love?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Jo Marcelo
- Jun Lee
- Jonathan Salazar
- Wally Torres
- Mon Torres
- Delores, Netta, Nick, Kurt & Barb
…In Thanksgiving: Nick & G
… for the personal intentions of Pauline
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Sean Ong Co. Eternal rest
grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he and all
the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Eugene Ma. Chua
- Birthday: Omie A. Inocencio
- Wedding Anniversary: Augusto & Gloria Dacanay
- Wedding Anniversary: Victory & Olivia Dy Sun
- In Memoriam (+): Thomas Ngo Tiong Tay (1930-1988)+
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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