Daily Marriage Tip for August 17, 2014:
“But the woman came and did him homage, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ (Mt 15:25) Have the humility to come to God when you are struggling with problems in your family and life.
Scripture Study Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A Opening prayer Isaiah 56:1,6-7 (Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8) Romans 11:13-15,29-32 Matthew 15:21-28 Overview of the Gospel: • This Sunday’s Gospel takes place right after a discussion between Jesus and his opponents, the Pharisees, who are critical of Jesus’ disciples for not following their interpretations of the minute details of the Jewish purity laws (Matthew 15:1-20). • Many of these Pharisees (the name means “separated ones”) made it a point to not associate with those whom they felt did not live up to these laws. They also distanced themselves from Gentiles (non-Jews) whom they considered unclean. They would not even enter their house for fear of defilement (John 18:28-29). • After this confrontation, Jesus takes a nearly 100-mile round trip “detour” to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon (present day Lebanon). Sidon was named after the son of Canaan (see Genesis 10:15-19), forefather of the original inhabitants of the Holy Land who were traditional bitter enemies of the Jews. • Though Jesus is sometimes seen to be taking a cold approach to the Canaanite woman seeking his aid, he is in fact mimicking the “separateness” of the Pharisees to highlight their blindness and to make a point about how God, on the other hand, shows no partiality (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Colossians 3:25; James 2:1,9). Questions: • Regarding the 2nd Reading: from what religious roots does Christianity come? If you are not ethnically Jewish, what do those roots make you, as a believer in Christianity? With what kind of awe, then, should you regard Judaism? With what kind of awe should you regard the grace of God in you? • In the 1st Reading, the prophet Isaiah foretells the inclusion of Gentiles in the kingdom of God, and the enthusiasm and sincerity of their worship. How well are you fulfilling this prophecy? • Look at a map of Israel in Jesus’ time. Where is Tyre and Sidon in relation to Jerusalem? • How would Jesus’ accusers in verses 1-20 have viewed his 100-mile “detour” to the region of Tyre and Sidon? Would they have likely done the same? Why or why not? • What do we learn about the Canaanite woman? How are you like her? Not like her? • What do we learn about Jesus? About Jesus’ attitude toward non-Jews? • When you deal with needy people or “outsiders,” are you more like the disciples or Jesus? Why? How has God gone a long distance to heal you? • Do you ever feel “put off” by the Lord? What happens to your faith when God appears not to answer? Do you give up, or do you persist? Do you seek Jesus with expectant faith? Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 528, 781, 439, 448, 2610 Closing prayer Persevere in prayer. Persevere, even when your efforts seem barren. Prayer is always fruitful. –St. St. Josemaria Escriva