Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time — August 16, 2026

Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook and Instagram.

Click here for the readings.

Today’s Gospel gives us a model of faith — the Canaanite woman.

Her daughter was tormented by a demon, and she came to Jesus convinced that he could heal her. Although she was not a member of the Jewish people, she called him, "Lord" and pleaded, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!"

At first, Jesus answered her with silence.

How often have we experienced that same silence in prayer? We cry out to God and hear nothing in return. Yet God's silence is never indifference. Sometimes he allows it to deepen our trust, strengthen our perseverance, and prepare our hearts for the grace he is about to give.

Then things became even more difficult. Some of Jesus' own disciples tried to send her away. Many of us know what that feels like. Perhaps someone in the Church—a priest, a bishop, a religious sister or brother, or even a fellow parishioner—has disappointed us or made us feel unwelcome. The Canaanite woman teaches us not to let the failures of Christ's followers keep us from Christ himself.

Jesus finally spoke up in a way that sounds rather harsh to our modern ears. He said to her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” This was Jesus’ way of saying that he could only to preach to one nation at a time until after he had ascended to Heaven. Proclaiming the Gospel to the world had to wait until he was able to empower the Church to preach to all the nations.

But this woman had a clever faith and she said to him, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” She was asking for whatever grace he was willing to give, trusting that even the smallest gift from the Lord would be more than enough.

I like to imagine Jesus smiling at her response before saying, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." At that very moment, her daughter was healed.

There are times when God seems silent. There are times when other Christians disappoint us. There are times when we do not understand God's ways or his answers to our requests. But today's Gospel reminds us never to stop praying, never to stop trusting, and never to walk away from Jesus.

Faith that perseveres is faith that is rewarded. May we remain close to the Lord, grateful for every grace that comes from his table, confident that he will never fail those who place their trust in him.

Have a blessed week, everyone.