Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Isa 56.1, 6-7
Ps 66
Rom 11.13-15, 29-32
Mt 15.21-28
THERE IS NO LIMIT TO A SINCERE FAITH
Although our Lord Jesus and the apostles were Jewish and Christianity developed from Judaism, Jesus consistently demonstrated compassion and openness toward non-Jews, such as the Canaanite woman in today’s gospel. The woman exhibited sincere faith. She was undeterred by potential consequences and identified with her child's suffering, demonstrating a willingness to endure rejection to secure healing for her loved one.
She also displayed unwavering persistence. Her faith was strengthened through her interaction with Jesus, beginning with a simple request and culminating in kneeling in worshipful prayer to the living God. Anyone who approached Jesus with genuine faith—regardless of whether they were Jewish or Gentile—was never denied assistance. It is essential to persevere in faith and recognize that God’s house is “a house of prayer for all peoples," which reinforces this inclusive vision.The readings challenges the Church today to reflect on whether its worship and community life are welcoming to non-Catholics or appear exclusive. Like Saint Paul, the Church should invite others to “come and see,” engage them thoughtfully, and present the faith understandably without compromising core Christian doctrines or moral standards.
The Second Vatican Council’s depiction of the Church as a pilgrim people—a universal Church on a journey toward God—is fundamental to our understanding. Catholics from diverse cultural backgrounds belong to this community. The Church must continually discern what aspects of its practice are essential to the faith and what are merely cultural expressions. The central message is an invitation to welcome others, remain faithful to Catholic teachings, and embrace the Church’s universality to unite faith and cultural diversity until the end of time.
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