Today is the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Today’s Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) is the story of a woman who did not take “No” for an answer. If she was asking to be healed herself she would have left the scene long ago. But she was a mother. Her daughter was very sick. She would go to any length so that her child would be cured! The woman is an Canaanite – these people were ancestral enemies of the people that Jesus was born into. All of us have a history with people. Some good. Some bad. The coldness that Jesus displays to this woman, almost to the very end understandably troubles many.His initial responses to the poor woman’s request to free her daughter from demonic possession, do not point him out in a good light. Jesus was divine but he did not lose his humanity. Remember we are told that Jesus….is one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and in (Luke 2:52) we read “Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature and in favour with God and man” From this woman Jesus learned a lesson.Even though Jesus told his disciples “ only to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6) – she shows Him that God’s care, compassion, and concern extends beyond all national boundaries, and the limits that our preconceived ideas put upon us. Hear those words in today’s first reading“My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples” (Isaiah 56:7). God is not some narrow-minded bigot! This unnamed woman is one of the great heroes of the gospel tradition. She drags the Jewish Messiah from an understanding that his powers were solely for the benefit of his own people. Even though she was from the “other side” – her faith received an answer and her daughter was healed. She helps Jesus comprehend more fully what his mission was about. This woman stands in for us who, like her, are Gentiles – we can all learn from her faith. Jesus, himself, did not actively reach outside his own people but he commanded his disciples “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations: baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). We have our religion and we belong to God’s Church, but God has no religion nor does God belong exclusively to any Church. A story: “With Christmas coming Grandma was out shopping for gifts for her grandchildren. While she was at the toy shop going through her list she noticed a small homeless girl outside wistfully looking into the shop. Grandma’s heart went out to the little girl. She invited the little girl into the shop and asked her to pick a gift for herself. As they walked out of the shop the little girl held Grandma’s hand and looked into her kind eyes and asked, “Are you God?” Grandma, somewhat embarrassed and somewhat touched said, “No, my dear I am not God” “Then who are you.” Grandma thought for a moment and said, “I am a child of God”. The little girl, fully satisfied and smiling said, “ I knew there was a connection!” (From: “How Big is your God?” by Paul Coutinho SJ. (Loyola Press 2007) p.1)
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Feasts of the Week: Monday: St. Pius X (1835-1914) Became Pope in 1903. Encouraged frequent communion especially for young children. Tuesday: Queenship of Mary: This feast was established in 1955 at end of Marian Year by Pius X11 to stress the connection of Mary’s queenship with the Assumption. Thursday: St. Bartholomew – identified as Nathanael of Cana whom Philip brings to the Lord. He preached the Gospel in India. Saturday: Blessed Dominic Barberi (1792-1849). An Italian Passionist who brought the Congregation to England. He contributed to the conversion of John Henry Newman. In 1963, he was beatified by Pope Paul V1.
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Thank you for the collection last week. It came to £1860. We appreciate your support of the Graan during these difficult financial times. Thanks also to all who help in our weekend liturgies.
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Exposition: Continues each Friday from 10am – 2pm. Shop: Monday to Saturday – 9.30 – 7pm.
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Recently Deceased
Bishop Liam S. MacDaid , Bishop-Emeritus of Clogher, Monaghan Town & formerly Bundoran
James Firmager, Gavary, Enniskillen
Rita Mc Nulty, Macken, Enniskillen
June Muldoon, Cornagrade, Enniskillen
Anniversaries
Sr Kathleen Dooris, Cornagrade, Enniskillen & Castleblaney
Kieran Curley, Boho
Owen & Ellen Kelly, Cavanacross, Garvary, Enniskillen
Bridie Mc Caffrey, Silverhill Manor, Enniskillen Month’s Mind
Benny Donegan, Enniskillen
Moya Keown, Cornahilta, Belleek
Gerald O’Neill, Lisnaskea
Baby Luca Singh, Bellanaleck
John & Agnes Mc Intyre, Derrygonnelly
Owney Mc Teggart, Sligo Rd, Enniskillen
