Today’s Readings – Sunday of Week 20 of Ordinary Time (Year A)

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

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus entering non-Jewish territory, something he very seldom does. We find him in the district of Tyre and Sidon, two coastal cities on the Mediterranean coast (now in present-day Lebanon). Unlike some of the Jewish towns that are linked with Jesus and the Gospel which have disappeared or are in ruins, these two pagan towns still flourish.

A ‘pagan’ woman
Suddenly a Canaanite woman from that region comes up and begins shouting at Jesus. We need to realise that the Canaanites were the traditional enemies of the Jews. They were regarded as pagans and idolators and ritually unclean.

Her status does not discourage this women in her desperate need. Perhaps e … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Commentary on Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6,10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56

Today’s feast celebrates the special place that Mary has in the life of the Church. This place is first of all defined by her being chosen to be the mother of Jesus, his only human parent. This alone gives … Continue