“Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just;
for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.
“The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ministering
to him, loving the name of the Lord, and becoming his servants – all who keep
the Sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to
my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings
and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a
house of prayer for all peoples.”
Second reading: Rom. 11: 13-15, 29-32
“Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles,
I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of
them. For if their rejection is the
reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the
dead?
“For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now
received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in
order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive
mercy. For God delivered all to
disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.”
Gospel reading: Mt. 15: 21-28
“At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, ‘Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, ‘Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.’ Then Jesus said to her in reply, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.”
Introductory theme summary:
The common theme from today’s readings is the universality
of God’s loving gift of salvation. In
the first reading we have the prophesy foretelling that God’s salvation will
extend to all people. In the second
reading we have Paul reminding us that our inclusion is a privilege that
eventually the Jews themselves will also enjoy.
Finally, in the gospel we have a wonderful example of the greatness of
faith Jesus found among those who were not Jews, thus facilitating the
gentiles’ inclusion in God’s plan of salvation.
Reflection:
The most relevant application for today’s theme – the
universality of God’s loving gift of salvation – is with the common assumption
by some Catholics that still feel salvation cannot be attained by anyone who is
not Catholic. This sentiment seems to
stem from our belief in the Eucharist, which is founded on Jesus’ saying,
“Unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink His blood you have no
life within you.” (Jn. 6: 53) Those who hold this position need to consider
another passage. After the resurrection,
and before the ascension Jesus commissioned the disciples by saying, “Go into
the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk. 16:16)
Now …on the surface these passages would appear to be
contradicting each other. Unless, of
course, they are addressing different things.
To the surprise of many they actually are discussing two different
things, or rather two different participations in the same thing. Those two participations are best understood
in relationship to time. In the second
case all those who believe in the nature and works of Jesus Christ so as to
become baptized for the forgiveness of their sins are assured they will
eventually arrive at the paradise of eternal life. In the first case Jesus is teaching us that
the spirit of eternal life is attainable NOW, in time! However, only those who eat his flesh and
drink his blood can receive it because the Eucharist is the only means through
which it is given.
Alas, now we have reached the issue of our differences in
belief concerning the Eucharist that unfortunately keep some Christians from
receiving His spirit, by which we can actually know, even while remaining in
this state, the life that IS ETERNAL!
Some characteristics that will accompany that life are: Living for the
things of heaven, and not for the things of earth; fully forgiving in all
circumstances; absolute resolve against all lust and anger. In short, living one’s life in the state of
grace, thus not sinning, for John says, “No one who is begotten by God commits
sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by
God.” (1 Jn. 3:9)
These are glimpses of the life that will be eternal and it
is attainable, but only by receiving His body and blood, soul and divinity in
the Eucharist. Are you living the
newness of life that is able to perpetuate the state of grace John describes? If not, it is likely you are not Catholic;
and if you are, then you have yet responded to his call of holiness.[1]
Now is the time!
[1]
Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution of the
Church, no. 39: “Everyone in the Church is called to holiness, whether he
belongs to the hierarchy or is cared for by the hierarchy.”
No comments:
Post a Comment