A FAITH THAT REFUSES TO GIVE UP
Homily for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Romans 11:13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28 There are moments when we pray and nothing seems to happen. We ask God for healing, help, or a breakthrough, but heaven appears silent. At such moments, the temptation is to conclude that God does not care. Today’s Gospel presents us with a woman who teaches us the opposite. She tells us that sometimes faith means continuing to knock even when the door seems closed. The Gospel introduces us to a Canaanite woman. This identity matters. She was a Gentile, an outsider to the covenant of Israel. Yet she approaches Jesus with remarkable confidence: “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” What follows is surprising. Jesus initially says nothing. His silence must have been painful. She cries out, but receives no response. The disciples themselves become irritated and ask Jesus to send her away. Even then, she refuse...
