Homily Twentieth Sunday Ordinary A
Today, we celebrate the Twentieth Sunday in the Ordinary Time. In the Jewish society long ago even Before Christ, there were two categories of people: the insiders and the outsiders. The “insiders” were the Jewish people, as the People chosen by Yahweh and unique recipient of the salvation God promised through his prophets. The “outsiders” were people considered to belong to what is called “Gentiles,” pagans and strangers, outcast from the salvation plan. However, God’s plan is that, in Christ Jesus, there will be no “insiders” or “outsiders.” All will be made one in Him. In this present age, we are called to work toward that profound unity through humble love of one another, so that “difference” and “division” may cease. As Saint Paul says, “in Jesus, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In other words, we can say that the Sun of salvation of Jesus Christ shines for all people. The bright light of the risen sun, Jesus Christ, shines to all parts of the earth. Let us walk in his light and follow in his way of love and universal fraternity, that, reflecting his brightness, we may enlighten the darkness of our world. Today’s Gospel is talking about the encounter between Jesus and a Canaanite woman who came to him to request the healing of her daughter tormented by demons. In my homily today, I’ll focus on three main points.
1- My first point is about the Prayer of the Canaanite woman
Her prayer was a Prayer of Demand to implore Jesus’ help for the healing of her daughter. She asked for a prayer of deliverance: “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David.” This Canaanite woman is the figurehead of confidence and courage. She was aware of the fact of being an “outsider” who didn’t deserve any help from a Jewish prophet. But, she saw in Jesus her first and last opportunity to get her daughter healed. She found in Jesus her last hope of salvation for her child. Finally, her hope was a person: Jesus Christ of Nazareth. She did as they say in Latin, “Carpe Diem,” which means “Seize the day”. Obviously, the Canaanite woman seized her day and her chance to come to Jesus with her needs. Her attitude was an expression of courage and confidence. In our daily prayer, let’s imitate such a confidence and courage. For Jesus said, “Ask, you shall receive. Knock, the door will be opened to you. Seek, you shall find.” Then, the Canaanite woman sought the Lord, and she found him. She asked with confidence and courage, and she received. Perhaps like her, you too, might know anyone sick in your family or in your parish-family of Saint Patrick and Saint James. Then, like the Canaanite woman, come to Jesus and implore for his help saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me; have pity on my brother and sister sick in my family and my parish.” According to Fr Walter Hilton, “This Canaanite woman represents the Church who asks our Lord to help simple, ignorant souls, who are laboring under the temptations of the world and who cannot speak to God with fervent devotion or in the burning love of contemplation. It seems at first that our Lord refuses to hear, because these souls are, as it were, strangers to him, but in the end, because of the great faith and the merit of the Church, He grants her all that she asks.” For in Jesus, there is no “insiders” or “outsiders”. In Jesus’ kingdom, everybody is Welcome.
2- My second point is about the Persistence of the Canaanite woman
Although the Lord Jesus did not grant her request at first sight, she was not discouraged and she never gave up. But she persisted. She came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, please, help me!” Like a good lawyer, she pleaded the desperate case of her daughter who was on the brink of death. When Jesus told her that it was not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs, the Canaanite woman found the right answer that pleased the heart of God. She responded with great conviction acknowledging her status as outsider or outcast, saying, “Please Lord, I don’t need too much. Maybe I’m only a little dog which is not worthy to eat the food of the legitimate children of Israel. For even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters. And I just need these scraps today, not more.” Her persistence, her determination, and her relevant answer moved the heart of Jesus who granted her what she asked for: the healing and deliverance of her daughter. As Fr William Bonniwell, in his comment of this Gospel, wrote, “The woman’s reaction shows what a truly extraordinary person she was. Twice the divine Master had refused her prayer; and the second time, he likened her to a dog! The Apostles must have expected her to spring to her feet, make some angry reply, and furiously walk away. She did nothing of the kind. She remained on her knees and replied with astounding humility. In the face of such fervor and faith, of such humility and perseverance, our Lord laid aside his assumed reluctance and exclaimed in admiration: “O woman, great is your faith!” Let us imitate the persistent prayer of the Canaanite woman. Like her, we’re all invited to pray and ask with persistence, at the point to bother God and make him get tired of us. The persistence of the woman was so intense and overwhelming that Jesus granted her petition and let her understand that God’s love and mercy is boundless. As Saint John Chrysostom said, “He who has redeemed you, would have you persist in your prayers; he would have you ask and receive what his goodness is longing to impart. Gladly then should you accept this encouragement the Lord himself gives you.” In the same way of thinking, Saint Augustine said, “God would not encourage you to pray if he were not willing to give.” Also, in the same spirit, Saint Albert The Great said, “The great and more persistent your confidence in God is, the more abundantly you will receive all that you ask.”
3- My last point is about the Great Faith of the Canaanite woman
This woman was a figurehead of strong faith, the faith able to move the heart of God, the faith able to arouse admiration, compassion and compliment from Jesus’ mouth when he says: “O woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you wish.” Let’s imitate this woman’s faith, a faith able to move mountains. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen and increase our faith. As Fr William Bonniwell said, “Let us take as our model that truly amazing woman. What an example does she give us of how to pray! Her attention and fervor could not be surpassed; her faith and confidence in God’s goodness and mercy never wavered for an instant. Her humility could not be ruffled even by being likened to a dog! In the face of every discouragement from the Apostles of Christ, nay, apparently rebuffed by the Son of God himself, this incomparable woman persevered in her prayer.” If we persevere in faith like the Canaanite woman, we too will be surprised, one day, to get a compliment and word of admiration from Jesus who will say, “My Brother and Sister of Placerville and Georgetown, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
Rev. Fr Pepin W. F. DANDOU
Georgetown, CA August 15, 2020.