{"id":6399,"date":"2023-08-17T12:09:51","date_gmt":"2023-08-17T10:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/predication.net\/?p=6399"},"modified":"2023-08-17T12:09:52","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T10:09:52","slug":"twentieth-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-a-mt-1521-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/predication.net\/?p=6399","title":{"rendered":"Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Mt 15:21-28"},"content":{"rendered":"

Evangelist St.Matthew invites us to think about the relations between faiths. Matthew.\u00a0It describes a dialogue between Jesus and a confident Canaanite woman. In the end, Jesus tells the Gentile woman: “Woman, great is your faith” (Mt 15:28).<\/span><\/p>\n

During his public ministry, Jesus did not avoid “the vicinity of Tire and Sidon” (Mt 15:21), which was the land of the Gentiles.\u00a0Jesus wanted to rest.\u00a0Evangelists Matthew (15:21-28) and Mark (7:24-30) describe the meeting of Jesus with a Gentile woman, a Syrophoenician woman, who, when she learns that Jesus of Nazareth is there, rushes and calls to Jesus to heal her daughter , who is “horribly tormented by an evil spirit”.\u00a0The woman must have heard about Jesus, who he is, what he is, because she calls him “Son of David.”\u00a0From what she hears, the woman deduces that the one who works miracles can be none other than the promised son of David, the Messiah, who can help her, which the buckwheat believes.\u00a0The behavior of Jesus towards the woman is surprising.\u00a0He is silent.\u00a0We explain this by saying that although Jesus is not merciless or indifferent to the suffering of people, Jesus has not yet received an instruction from the Father.\u00a0Therefore, the obedience of Jesus to the Father is even more than the compassion and goodness of his heart.\u00a0Jesus always does only what the Father wants.\u00a0Jesus listens to the voice of the Father more than to his own heart.\u00a0The behavior of the disciples seems more merciful, but it is only apparent.\u00a0The apostles want peace from the screaming woman.\u00a0Jesus’ reaction is calm, although the words he says are another surprise: “I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 15:24).\u00a0Jesus came to help.\u00a0However, he must not show his inner powers, he is a model of obedience to the Father’s will.\u00a0The Father himself makes sure that the world recognizes the prophesied and expected Messiah in Jesus.\u00a0He also uses the behavior of a pagan woman, a mother.\u00a0The woman cannot be deterred by Jesus’ silence.\u00a0There is a dialogue where Jesus does not want to offend by comparing: “It is not good to take bread from children and throw it to puppies” (Mt 15:26), although it may sound presumptuous, condescending.\u00a0The woman understands this from God’s inspiration, which is revealed by her further behavior and words:<\/span>
\nThe woman thinks: if the puppies were so full that the children would have to starve, I would certainly have to give up my request.\u00a0Since even children and puppies can be satisfied, I will not stop begging because there is plenty on the table, and crumbs fall from the table.<\/span>
\nHere the light begins to dawn, tearing apart the darkness that was between Israel, the Jews, and on the other hand, the Gentiles.\u00a0Although the nation hated Jesus and cut off his life, Jesus loved the country, and on the other hand, persistent faith makes a pagan woman courageous. The words say about it: “Woman, great is your faith!\u00a0Let it happen to you as you wish.” And from that hour her daughter was healthy” (Mt 15,28).\u00a0The woman respected Jesus’ will; she only begged him, she does not force him, and Jesus’ goodness did not lag behind her faith. That’s why he calls her “big.” Such faith is excellent, which seeks great grace from Christ. God reveals it to the little ones and has hidden it from the wise.\u00a0The buckwheat woman solved the mystery over which the masters, the teachers of Israel, became fools. God came to save all people.\u00a0God came as a Jew, but the promise is to be fulfilled by the chosen nation and every person so that not only the children of Israel will be fed with his bread but also puppies.\u00a0The apostles already do this at the beginning after the council in Jerusalem when Peter goes among the scattered Jews and Paul among the Gentiles.<\/span><\/p>\n

We should learn from a mother’s love that true love is not offended by condescending or rejecting words\u2014Vice\u00a0versa.\u00a0Love decides.\u00a0Deeds follow love. Just talking is not enough when actions prove otherwise.<\/span>
\nPatriarch Michal Cerularius was a passionate man when in 1053, he had all Latin Rite churches closed in Constantinople. Likewise, the papal legate was quick to excommunicate the patriarch.\u00a0This is where the split between East and West began.\u00a0The behavior of two church dignitaries brought a lot of sin, evil, pain, tears, and lives into the history of nations, churches, and people. Similar behavior of the English king Henry VIII.<\/span>
\nDisputes between brothers may arise, but they can be resolved sooner where there is love. Postponing arguments, unwillingness to listen to others, and destruction of love destroy the most valuable thing: God in people. Today we have differences with some Eastern churches: regarding the “filioque,” the doctrine of whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Son. The West believes in the Nicene-Constantinople Creed that the Holy Spirit proceeds from God and the Son. Furthermore, today we have differences in the preparation of the feast of unleavened bread.\u00a0They deny the effects of epiclesis, receiving under both modes, teaching about purgatory, indulgences, and rewards of the righteous before the resurrection of the body and the last judgment. We have different views on the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary or the Roman primacy of the Pope.<\/span>
\nThe Second Vatican Council took fundamental steps toward understanding and unity. Rome is building new relations and attitudes towards the Eastern separate churches and the Western Protestant Christian churches. Rome’s attitude towards the Jews also changed.\u00a0It is not easy, and it is impossible to quickly remove, explain, forget, and forgive what has been recognized, avoided, or destroyed for centuries, almost a thousand years. The relationship to the sacraments, their interpretation, and teaching, starting with baptism and ending with the priesthood, requires many meetings in goodwill and studies.<\/span>
\nWe are witnessing that love expressed with true love and justice is already bearing fruit.\u00a0Initially, it was an invitation to the council by Pope John XXIII. Several representatives of churches separated from Rome came to it. Meetings of the Popes, Paul VI, John Paul I, and especially John Paul II followed. with representatives of churches worldwide. It was not only in Assisi but also in the apostolic journeys of the popes and the Vatican. Contacts are managed by established papal councils for dialogue with non-believers and other religions to promote Christian unity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The story tells about a talented violinist who always captivates the audience with his playing. Before his concert in a particular city, an article about him was published in the local newspaper. The last line was: “Come hear the otherworldly sound of the precious violin.” The concert hall was filled. The artist fulfilled the audience’s expectations with his performance.\u00a0There was thunderous applause after each song.\u00a0But something unexpected happened.\u00a0The violinist stopped playing at one point.\u00a0He grabbed the violin and hit it against the back of the chair.\u00a0The violin was destroyed. The audience froze.\u00a0The violinist looked silently into the auditorium for a moment before saying, \u201cI can imagine how you feel, but it was inevitable.\u00a0See this ruined violin?\u00a0It was only $50!\u201d Then he took the other violin and continued, \u201cNow I’m going to play this instrument. It’s my favorite violin, a precious violin that cost $50,000. I want you to understand that music depends not on the instrument but on the player.” After these words, he continued the concert. In the hands of the master, the cheap violin equaled the expensive one. Music does not depend on the instrument but on the player.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lesson that this violinist gave to his audience may lead us to think differently.\u00a0The music of ecumenism may not sound too sweet.\u00a0Maybe sometimes we sigh: If I had such and such qualities and talents, I could do much more for God, the Church, and the spread of God’s kingdom. However, such attitudes are harmful.\u00a0They prevent us from offering the little we have to God, the greatest artist. At the same time, even with a little, a beautiful work can be created in his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus fulfilled his mission.\u00a0He prayed for one sheepfold and one shepherd.\u00a0Today, no one knows how ecumenism will move forward.\u00a0We must continue what unites us.\u00a0The example of the woman in the Gospel encourages all who believe in Christ to put aside the sin of disunity we inherited. The effort to live with Christ, to fulfill his teaching so that everyone is saved, is based on faith as a theory and concrete acts of love. Do not despise anyone for faith.\u00a0Do not forcibly join a particular rite. Do not buy, and do not intimidate for faith. Respect the freedom of decision to the ceremony.<\/span>
\nThe Church prays not only on Good Friday but also for unbelievers, believers of other faiths, and Jews, whom we accept as older brothers in faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at and correctly understanding the parable of the Lord Jesus about children and puppies can suggest many examples.<\/span><\/p>\n

It happened in southern Italy’s Bari.\u00a0Seven newly hatched puppies fell into the canal.\u00a0Their mother couldn’t enter the channel, so she stood on the grate and whimpered, crying like dogs cry. She knew they were there, but she couldn’t get to them.\u00a0She didn’t know what to do and was at a loss. When a person saw this, he realized what had happened and took action.\u00a0He uncovered the grating on the channel and began to pull them out.\u00a0The mother cleaned them with her tongue.\u00a0He pulled out six of them.\u00a0There was no way he could pull out the seventh.\u00a0Finally, he was helped by his mother, who miraculously pulled out her cub in her mouth.\u00a0They filmed the action, and it attracted mass media attention. She evoked great emotions.\u00a0She showed people a dog that loves and is loyal to its young.<\/span><\/p>\n

God didn’t stop loving us even though we were separated.\u00a0We talk about ourselves: he is an Arab, he is a Jew, he is a Christian, even an Easterner, and a Westerner, or even more, a Protestant. However, we have one God, although we call him Yahweh, Allah, or God. What divides us, divides us, is an insult to God. God, who is Love, wants our union.\u00a0How?\u00a0What kind?\u00a0How to?\u00a0It is not easy to give an answer and to translate, to realize what God wants from us.\u00a0However, it is possible.\u00a0The important thing is that we know that God wants it. It requires goodwill, understanding, respect, and especially love from each side.<\/span><\/p>\n

We all have the opportunity to try to make amends with our possibilities here in Slovakia as well.\u00a0It requires a tremendous and living faith, which we can already ask for at this Holy Mass.<\/span><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Evangelist St.Matthew invites us to think about the relations between faiths. Matthew.\u00a0It describes a dialogue between Jesus and a confident Canaanite woman. In the end, Jesus tells the Gentile woman: “Woman, great is your faith” (Mt 15:28). During his public … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"yoast_head":"\nTwentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Mt 15:21-28 - predication.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/predication.net\/?p=6399\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Mt 15:21-28 - predication.net\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Evangelist St.Matthew invites us to think about the relations between faiths. 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