20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A
Cantonese Chinese Community – 08 20 2023
Fr. Fernando Cortez
People throughout the world are proud of their own nation and care for their family and friends as each one esteems what is mine. The wisdom of each culture teaches us to be a good example for others to copy. Parents for children, older children for the younger. All are to care for the elders, the poor and the stranger. This was the work of Israel. This was their sacred duty.
Today’s readings speak to us of the pride and joy in serving and belonging to God. The Psalms teach us in song and poetry about the unique privilege and responsibility of Israel as God’s Chosen People. Israel is not unique or special. God choose them and makes them his own people. It is God’s love and mercy that calls them to praise God and be an example for all the earth. Their loyalty to God is blessed and all the world will come to follow their example.
Perhaps the world was not just, but God, through the mercy he first showed for Israel, asked them to keep faith in his promises of joy and glory. The people were asked to do the same, but did not always follow God’s will. Isaiah the prophet come in his own time to be voice of hope and glory for Israel. Israel has the gift of God. What is their gift to God? To do justice and know that God is ready to save them from their enemies. Their example in exile, even far from home, will inspire many nations practice right actions and to do justice. Isaiah speaks for God and declares that foreigners will join to God, love his name, and serve him.
God’s home will be open to all nations, as a house of joyful prayer, to bring offerings to God acceptable to him: a house a prayer for all peoples and place to remember God’s gifts of mercy and love. This is a bright future for Israel and all the world.
All is brought to fulfillment in Jesus, God’s son and messenger of Love and belonging. But even Jesus had to learn this. Today’s Gospel story teaches us about the universal gift of Faith. God’s love and belonging to him is not just for Israel.
Our story of the Canaanite women and her poor daughter is a hard lesson for the Jesus and the Apostles. It come to us in three acts, like a play.
The First act, Jesus is away from his homeland. Here a Canaanite woman dares to ask a favor of Jesus. “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!” She appeals to his vanity and privileged ancestry. Heal her daughter. A demon afflicts the daughter. Jesus only offers silence and walks on!
The Second act, the woman harasses the Apostles! The Apostles plead to Jesus, please send her away! Jesus is here only for the lost sheep of Israel. He looks out for his own even in a foreign land. Never disappoint a woman with a just cause, even a stranger!
We will hear that she followed and overheard the conversation…
The Third act, the Canaanite woman offers HOMAGE, she gives personal respect and honor to Jesus. She is now less than nothing in the sight of everyone. But she has courage and trusts in Jesus. HELP ME!
Jesus’ story about the dogs is very painful to hear. The woman looks first to her love for her daughter. “Sir, even the pet dogs may eat what might fall from the table of the master!”
Jesus is confronted and must recognize her,
“GO woman, your FAITH is GREAT!
Be it done as you wish.
The daughter was healed from that hour”.
Saint Paul understands this change in Jesus. He relates it to his mission to the Gentiles, all the foreign peoples of the world. The deepest mystery is that the mercy for Israel is now open to all. As we receive God’s blessing and mercy, these gifts will remain open to the children of Israel now and into the future. They will never be turned away. This is St. Paul deep faith and hope for the love of his own people, Israel.
Like the Canaanite woman we are privileged to receive the gift of God, Jesus. Perhaps, our acceptance of Jesus, his gift of love for the whole world will bless and inspire others to follow our example of faith and trust. For nothing is impossible for God!
(中文翻譯.原文以英文為準.)
常年期(甲年)第二十主日講道 (08/20/2023)
法神父主日證道中譯本
讀經一: 依撒意亞先知書56:1, 6-7
讀經二: 保祿宗徒致羅馬人書 11:13-15, 29-32
福音: 瑪竇福音 15:21-28
世界各地的人們都為自己的國家感到自豪,並關心他們的家人和朋友,因為每個人都尊重我自己的事物。每種文化的智慧都教導我們成為其他人效仿的好榜樣。父母為孩子,大孩子為小孩子。所有人都要照顧老人、窮人和陌生人。這是以色列的工作。這是他們的神聖職責。
今天的讀經向我們講述了事奉天主和屬於天主的自豪和喜樂。聖詠以歌曲和詩詞教導我們以色列作為天主選民的獨特特權和責任。以色列並不獨特或特殊。天主選擇他們,使他們成為他自己的子民。天主的慈愛和憐憫呼召他們讚美天主,為全地樹立榜樣。他們對天主的忠誠受到祝福,全世界都會效仿他們的榜樣。
也許世界並不公正,但天主通過他首先向以色列表現出的憐憫,要求他們堅守他關於喜樂和榮耀的應許。人們被要求這樣做,但並不總是遵循天主的旨意。先知依撒意亞在他自己的時代到來,為以色列帶來希望和榮耀。以色列擁有天主的恩賜。他們給天主的禮物是什麼?伸張正義並知道天主已準備好將他們從敵人手中拯救出來。他們在流亡中的榜樣,即
使遠離家鄉,也將激勵許多國家採取正確的行動並伸張正義。依撒意亞代表天主說話,宣告外邦人將歸向天主,愛他的名,事奉他。
天主的家將向萬民開放,成為喜樂禱告的殿堂,向天主獻上蒙他悅納的供物;成為萬民禱告的殿堂,成為紀念天主憐憫和愛的恩賜的地方。這對以色列和全世界來說都是光明的未來。
一切都在耶穌身上得以實現,耶穌是天主的兒子、愛與歸屬感的使者。但即使是耶穌也必須學習這一點。今天的福音故事教導我們關於信仰的普世恩賜。天主對他的愛和歸屬不只限於以色列。
我們有關客納罕婦女和她可憐的女兒的故事對耶穌和門徒來說是一個慘痛的教訓。它像戲劇一樣分三幕呈現給我們。
第一幕,耶穌離開了他的家鄉。在這裡,一個客納罕婦女敢於向耶穌請求幫助。 主啊,達味之子,可憐我吧! 她奉承他的虛榮心和特權血統。治愈她的女兒。惡魔折磨著女兒。耶穌只是保持沉默,然後繼續前行!
第二幕,女人騷擾門徒! 門徒們懇求耶穌,請打發她走吧! 耶穌來這裡只是為了以色列迷失的羊。即使在異國他鄉,他也會照顧自己的家人。永遠不要讓一個有正當理由的女人失望,即使是一個陌生人!
我們會聽到她跟踪並無意中聽到了談話......
第三幕,客納罕婦女向耶穌致敬,她給予耶穌個人的尊重和榮耀。現在的她,在所有人的眼裡,連一個東西都不是。但她有勇氣並且相信耶穌。幫我!
耶穌關於狗的故事聽起來非常痛苦。女人首先看的是她對女兒的愛。 先生,主人桌上掉下來的東西,連寵物狗都會吃的!
耶穌面對並且必須認出她,
去吧,女人,你的信仰是強大的!
就如你所願吧。
從那時起,女兒就痊癒了。
聖保祿理解耶穌的這種改變。他將其與他對外邦人、世界上所有外國人民的使命聯繫起來。最深的奧秘是,對以色列的憐憫現在向所有人開放。當我們接受天主的祝福和憐憫時,這些恩賜將在現時和將來繼續向以色列的子民開放。他們永遠不會被拒絕。這是聖保祿對他自己的人民以色列的愛的深切信德和希望。
就像客納罕婦女一樣,我們有幸接受天主的禮物耶穌。也許,我們接受耶穌,他對全世界的愛的禮物,將祝福並激勵其他人效仿我們信仰和信任的榜樣。因為在天主沒有難成的事!
