Daily Readings - Sun Aug 20 2023
Isaiah
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
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
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
In today’s readings, we encounter a powerful theme of God’s universal plan and mercy for all people. The first reading from Isaiah speaks of a time when God’s house will be a place of prayer for all nations, emphasizing inclusion and the unity of God’s people. The second reading from Romans, written by Paul, highlights God’s plan to extend His mercy beyond Israel to the Gentiles, illustrating that His gifts and call are irrevocable. Finally, the Gospel from Matthew shares the story of a Canaanite woman who, through her persistence and faith, receives healing for her daughter, demonstrating Jesus’s mission expanding beyond the boundaries of Israel.
These readings, each from a different context, weave together a narrative of God’s inclusive love. Isaiah’s vision of a restored Israel open to all peoples reflects a post-exilic hope for renewal and inclusion. Paul’s letter to the Romans explains God’s plan to include the Gentiles, showing that His mercy is not limited to one group. The Gospel illustrates this inclusion in action, as Jesus, initially focused on Israel, responds to the faith of a non-Jewish woman, thus expanding His mission. Together, these readings reveal that God’s plan is not confined to any single group but is intended for all humanity.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace diversity and extend compassion to everyone we meet. Just as the Canaanite woman’s faith opened her to God’s healing, our faith should lead us to trust in God’s universal plan. Let us strive to create an environment of inclusion and mercy, reflecting God’s love for all people. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith should inspire us to welcome others, just as God has welcomed us, trusting in His plan that transcends all boundaries.