St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church issued the following announcement on Aug. 16

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 | Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 | Matthew 15:21-28

Gospel

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, help me.”

He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

She said, “Please, 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.

1.The Canaanite women is very persistent. She wants Jesus to heal her daughter, and she knows He has the power to do so. Evenwhen He refuses her, she continues to ask for help. Reflecting on your current life situation, are you called to be persistent in prayer? If you or someone you know needed healing, how hard would you pray (or how persistent would you be) as you ask the Lord for help?

2.At the beginning of this passage, why did Jesus refuse the woman and compare her and her people to “dogs”? Was it because He “… was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” and Canaanites were non-believers of God? As she relentlessly continues, He changes His mind and affirms her by saying, “O woman, great is your faith!” Who (besides Jesus) has been a model of faith for you? Is/Was this person very close or a stranger? How did they display their faith to you or others?

3.If someone of a different faith comes to you, do you send them away, as Jesus tried to do, or do you help them, as Jesus ultimately did? Would you help every time? And how much help would you give?

4.Jesus was touched by the faith of the Canaanite woman;

Original source can be found here.