20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

First Reading Is 56:1,6-7 The Lord’s justice is about to be revealed

Second Reading Rom 11:13-15, 29 -32 God’s gifts are irrevocable 

Gospel Mt 15:21-28 A Canaanite woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter.

REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

In Jesus’ time the Jewish faith had very strict dietary laws regarding what foods could be eaten and what kinds of dishes the food could be eaten from. On the other hand, Gentiles could eat anything. Some Jews likened them to dogs, who would often be given leftover food to eat off the ground. So when Jesus and this woman speak about children and dogs, they are definitely talking about the Jews and the Gentiles.

This Gentile woman is brave, standing up to the disciples and even to Jesus. She has a point to make, and they listen. Have you ever been that persistent in a conversation with someone who had ‘higher’ status than you? If so, what happened?

Does our society think of some people as ‘dogs’? If so, who are the dogs of our society? Who is seen as holding lower status? What is your usual response to people such as these? What would be the Christian response that Jesus calls us to? What makes that such a difficult response?

Do you have any close friends who are Jewish? If you have friends who are Orthodox Jews, then they still obey certain dietary rules. Have you ever heard them talk of kosher foods? What kinds of things do they eat?

Carmelite Charism

Last week there was some information about the Carmelite characteristic of service. This week, the second characteristic in the series is called fraternity or brotherhood.

Fraternity

Carmelites seek to form communities where each person feels accepted and valued not for what he can do but simply because he is. This kind of community is in itself a witness that the love of Christ can break down the barriers which human beings set up and that it is possible for people of different backgrounds and nationalities to live together in peace and harmony. Carmelites are also aware of being part of an international fraternity that is present in many parts of the world.

The challenge for us is how do we live this out in our homes and work life!

Mrs Christine Meharg