by Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB

The scriptures this 20th Sunday ‘A’ proclaim the catholicity of the Church, that it exists for all. Even Isaiah, writing centuries before Christ predicted that ‘foreigners’ would come streaming to faith in the one God. They would minister to Him, love His name, serve Him, keep His holy day, offer proper sacrifice, venerate God’s covenant with humans preserved by His chosen people. Jesus quoted this prophecy after he cleansed the temple, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Christ’s Church was to be catholic.

Matthew’s Gospel caught Jesus as he began a long and significant journey into Gentile territory. It was along the Mediterranean Sea north of Israel where Jesus and the Twelve met a Canaanite woman who had a terribly possessed daughter. Canaan is a historical enemy of the Jews, but the woman had heard of Jesus, and she addressed him respectfully as Lord and Son of David, begging him to cure her tormented child.

The conduct of Jesus was startling. He first ignored the woman. The disciples tired of her and asked Jesus to send her away. His reply encouraged them: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The woman came, paid him homage and pleaded, “Lord, help me.” Even more startling was his reply, for he used harsh words: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” In utter humility she begged just a scrap from the Lord’s table. Praising her faith, Jesus at last healed her daughter.

There is no need to soften the conduct of Jesus or find excuses for him.  He knew what he was saying and doing and intended only good. His co-founders had much to learn. From Sidon they went inland behind the mountains bordering Israel. Near a pagan shrine Peter’s profession of faith would take place and Jesus named him the Rock on which his Church would be built; thence through pagan land east of the Lake and finally crossing the Jordan below its exit from the Lake back into Israel. The journey itself was a strong symbol of the universal Church open to all nations.