Word Wide Open: The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading (Isaiah 56:1, 6-7)

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.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Are we supposed to be afraid of the justice of the Lord? Why or why not? Why is going to Church so important?


Second Reading (Romans 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.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How do we often turn away from God like the Gentiles? How is God's call irrevocable? 


Gospel (Matthew 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, 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.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Why does Jesus initially reject the Canaanite woman? In what ways is our faith meant to be for everyone? How can we show our faith more like the woman in this reading?