Daily Readings - Sun Aug 16 2020

¹Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.⁶"And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant--⁷these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

Romans

Chapter 11

¹³Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry¹⁴in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.¹⁵For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?²⁹For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.³⁰Just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,³¹so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.³²For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

Matthew

Chapter 15

²¹And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.²²And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon."²³But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us."²⁴He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."²⁶And he answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."²⁷She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."²⁸Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on God's universal mercy and inclusion. In Isaiah, we hear a call to justice and salvation, emphasizing that God's house is a place of prayer for all people, highlighting inclusivity. Romans expands on this theme, explaining that God's mercy extends beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles, illustrating that His gifts are irrevocable and available to all. The Gospel from Matthew vividly illustrates this inclusion through the story of the Canaanite woman, whose persistence and faith lead Jesus to heal her daughter, demonstrating that His mission is not limited to the Israelites but embraces all who have faith. These readings collectively underscore God's desire to reach all people, regardless of their background. They remind us that faith and persistence can lead to healing and that God's love is not confined by boundaries. The Canaanite woman's humility and determination serve as a model for our own approach to prayer, encouraging us to seek God with openness and trust. In our daily lives, these readings inspire us to embrace diversity and recognize God's presence in everyone. They call us to live with humility, perseverance, and faith, trusting in God's universal love and mercy. Let us strive to be open to others, just as God is open to all, and remember that His love knows no bounds.