The others

Image: The Canaanite Woman asks for healing for her daughter

Naskh is the caligraphic style for writing in the Arabic alphabet that the biblical text is written in for this manuscript.  The artist, Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib, was most likely a Coptic monk in the late 17th century in Egypt. 1684 from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

Sunday 16 August 2026

Lectio Divina:*

Isaiah 56:1-7 Psalm 67(66)

Romans 13:13-32 Matthew 15:21-28 (See also Mark 7:24-30)

Meditatio:

‘I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.’ (Isaiah 56:8)

Commentary:

The second part of this Sunday’s Gospel presents us with a challenging encounter. We find Jesus in the region of Tyre and Sidon, territory that would have been considered foreign by many of his fellow Jews. In Matthew’s Gospel, this episode follows immediately after a dispute between Jesus and certain Pharisees and scribes concerning the observance of the Law, particularly ritual practices of purification.

Into this setting comes a Canaanite woman, a foreigner, who approaches Jesus and begins crying out for help. She is not one of the chosen people of Israel, yet she recognises in Jesus a source of hope and salvation. Her plea raises an important question: why should a devout Jew respond to the request of a foreign woman? At first, Jesus appears not to answer her. Then, when he does speak, his words seem surprisingly harsh: 'It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs'.

These words can be difficult for us to understand. However, the Church has traditionally interpreted this exchange not as a rejection of the woman but as part of a revelation of God’s saving plan. Jesus’ earthly mission was directed first to the house of Israel, through whom God had promised salvation to the world. Yet the encounter also anticipates the widening of that mission to embrace all peoples. The apparent severity of Jesus’ response provides the occasion for the woman’s extraordinary faith to be revealed.

The woman does not turn away in anger or discouragement. Instead, she persists. This time she kneels before Jesus and pleads, ‘Lord, help me.’ Her daughter is gravely troubled, and a mother’s love drives her to persevere. Many of us know from experience that mothers will go to remarkable lengths for their children, whether young or grown.

What is particularly striking is the manner of her persistence. She is determined, but not presumptuous. She does not demand a miracle as if she were entitled to one. Nor does she argue aggressively with Jesus. Instead, she humbly takes up his own image and replies, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ There is humility in her response, but also wisdom, courage, and perhaps even a touch of gentle humour.

How often do we encounter such honesty and realism among those who may seem outside our own circles of belonging? The Gospel frequently reminds us that faith can be found in unexpected places. Sometimes those who appear far from the community of faith display a deep trust in God that challenges and inspires believers.

The experience of being excluded or cut off is one of the most painful realities of human life. Many people know what it means to feel isolated, misunderstood, or rejected. Such separation may arise through circumstances beyond our control, through the actions of others, or through choices we ourselves have made. Whatever its cause, alienation wounds the human heart.

To be cut off from others can also lead to a deeper spiritual isolation. We may become disconnected from our true selves, from our deepest needs, and from the grace that God continually offers us. Yet the Gospel assures us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. Even when we feel distant from him, he has not abandoned us. He continues to call, invite and draw us back to himself.

This theme runs through the other readings as well. Writing to the Christians in Rome, St Paul reflects on the mystery of Israel and God’s enduring fidelity to his people. Although many did not recognise Christ when he came, Paul remains full of hope because ‘the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable’ (Romans 11:29). God does not withdraw his promises. His mercy remains at work even where human eyes may see only failure or separation.

Likewise, the prophet Isaiah proclaims God’s desire to gather all peoples to himself: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’ (Isaiah 56:7). From the beginning, God’s plan of salvation was never limited to one nation alone. In Christ, the door is opened to all. The Church, as the People of God gathered from every race, language, and nation, is called to be a visible sign of that universal invitation.

The Canaanite mother demonstrates three qualities that shine throughout the Gospel: faith, humility and perseverance. Again and again, these are the dispositions that open hearts to the grace of God. We see them in the Roman centurion who interceded for his servant, in the good thief who turned to Jesus from the cross and in countless other men and women who approached the Lord with trusting hearts.

We see these qualities most perfectly in the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first and greatest disciple and whose glorious assumption we celebrated yesterday. In the Magnificat she proclaims the greatness of God and humbly places her trust in his saving plan. As a loving mother, she continues to intercede for the Church and for all her children. Through her example, we learn that faith joined to humility is never wasted and that persistent prayer allows God's grace to work powerfully in our lives.

Many of us have reason to be grateful for the persistence of mothers. The story of the Canaanite woman reminds us that loving perseverance can be a powerful force for good. Her faith obtained healing for her daughter and her example continues to speak to us today. We are often the beneficiaries of the prayers, sacrifices and steadfast love of others. At the same time, we are called to become people of faith ourselves, never losing confidence in the mercy of God, who welcomes all who turn to him with humble and trusting hearts.

Some extras:

Collect of the Word for this Sunday (Church of Ireland)

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and also the example of godly life: give us grace that we may always thankfully receive the benefits of his sacrifice, and also daily endeavour to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect of the 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Roman Catholic missal of 1970)

Let us pray (with humility and persistence)

Almighty God, ever-loving Father, your care extends beyond the boundaries of race and nation to the hearts of all who live.  May the walls, which prejudice raises between us, crumble beneath the shadow of your outstretched arm.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion prayer (Roman Catholic missal of 1970)

God of mercy, by this sacrament you make us one with Christ. By becoming more like him on earth, may we come to share his glory in heaven, where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Private prayer after Holy Communion

(from The Family Missal and Prayer Book of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Ballyroan, Dublin, 1976)

Lord Jesus, Son of David, you have fed me from your table with the bread of life.  If a scrap of ordinary bread might cure a sick girl, what nourishment is given by the living bread that has come down from heaven.  If only I had faith, if only I were generous with my Lord, if only I would go the second mile, beyond regulations, striving for greatness for him, even then his strength would sustain me.