Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
The Israelites were God’s chosen people, but they were chosen for a reason: to bring salvation to the world.
We must understand that being chosen by God does not mean being God's exclusive people.
We get a sense of this in the first reading: “For my house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Temple that the Jews built would be a sign that would attract all people to worship the one, true, and living God.
In the Gospel today, Jesus has an interplay with a non-Jewish woman, which he eventually uses to make clear that after he announces the Gospel to his own people, he will bring it to others. His Church will announce him to those who are outside of the Jewish race and religion. That is exactly what Saint Paul was doing in our second reading.
What do we learn from these readings? Well, we can say that each of us has been chosen by God. God has chosen to love each of us. God has chosen to call each of us. God has chosen to redeem each of us. However, we are not meant to keep this “Good News” to ourselves, as if it was our own little secret, just something between us and God. Instead, God has chosen us to go and announce that God’s love is there for all who want to receive it.
God’s love is not meant just for us alone.
I often think of how blessed I am, but then I remember that I have been blessed for a reason — to share it with others. I think that is true for all of us. And, although the devil would love us to share hatred (we see enough of that in the news), God wants us to give the peace that comes from knowing his Son. We have been chosen to be blessed with faith, so go and bless others by calling them to the faith that saves too.
May our faith in Jesus be as strong as the persistent Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel. My guess is that she went and told others what Jesus had done for her that day.
Have a blessed week everyone.