La meditación de la Esposa : Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A)

So, what is the Liturgy of the Church trying to say to us by relating the dialogue that Jesus had with the Canaanite woman? And what does all this have to do with us, people of 21st century? It has everything to do with us. The readings today are about inclusion, the call to One Church, to One Kingdom, a kingdom that refuses to exclude those seeking God. The Canaanite woman wins healing for her daughter by showing Jesus her faith in Him. She even humbles herself when He said that the gifts of the Messiah, the food of the Jewish people, should not be shared with the dogs, the Gentiles. She responds that even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table, a common practice in meals where there are no utensils, just pieces of bread that are dipped into the stew pot, then dropped onto the floor rather than be re-dipped into the pot. It is clear from the Gospel that the faith of the gentiles, their openness to the wonders of God, has earned them a place at His table, the Banquet of Life. It would take time, but the Church came to a deep understanding that there is no right side or left side of the Church, nor are there people who are more worthy of the promise of Christ than others. The Church realized that it was universal, it was Catholic, the word that you know means universal. The Church is made up of people from various backgrounds, but all part of One Church. The Catholic Church is not just European, nor is it just American. The Catholic Church is also Asian, South American, African, Australian etc. All are part of the one Church called to accept the spiritual, called to eternal life. Think of the Church as a tapestry with various colors of threads all forming one picture, or as a mosaic with various different tiles all forming a great work of art. The world needs us to be Catholic. Our country needs us to be Catholic. In the First Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs, entitled The Church on the Path of Unity, we have the petition: “In a world torn by strife may your people shine forth as a prophetic sign of unity and love”. Recent events in our country are calling us more than ever to be this prophetic sign of unity amid our diversity. The world needs to see one body of people with diverse backgrounds all forming that tapestry, that mosaic, that is the People of God. The world and our country need to experience in the Catholic Church the prophetic sign that diverse people can become one unified person. We have to be a sign for our country that our strength comes from the bond of love that does not accept any form of exclusion of any peoples. The world needs to witness our living out what we proclaim with our Creed: We are One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic. Who belongs here? Who belongs in the Church? All people belong here. All people are called to form Church. May our country see in the unity of the Catholic Church a prophetic sign that diverse people can unite in love • AE

…

XX Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (Ciclo A)

La liturgia de este domingo podría ayudarnos a renovar nuestra vida de oración. El mundo agitado que vivimos muchas veces no nos deja espacio para recoger nuestra alma, quedarnos en silencio, y alabar a Dios. Nos encontramos en cierto sentido "extrovertidos", desparramados por las cosas y los acontecimientos. No somos capaces de reservar algunos minutos para la oración personal. ¿Qué puedo hacer hoy para hablar con mi Señor? ¡La gran pregunta! Podríamos hacerlo diciendo con labios nuevos las oraciones que hacíamos al levantarnos y al ir a descansar: Dulce Madre, Oh Señora mía, Acordaos, Ángel de mi guarda. Lo podemos hacer al bendecir la mesa y pedir a Dios por nuestra familia y nuestros hijos. ¡Qué experiencia tan profunda la de la familia que reza unida! ¡Cómo se queda grabada en la mente de los niños las oraciones recitadas al lado de la madre o del padre! Reavivemos nuestra fe en la oración. Impongámonos ese pequeño gran ejercicio que supone detenerse unos cuantos minutos cada día en silencio interior y en diálogo profundo con el Señor Jesús. Nuestra alma ganará en paz, en esperanza, en fortaleza para enfrentar los avatares de la vida y vendrá la certeza de que el amor no se detiene ante las dificultades. Es verdad, el amor no conoce la dilación, no conoce los obstáculos. El amor está en continua actitud de donación y de sacrificio en bien de la persona amada. Esto es lo que escuchamos hoy en la voz de la mujer cananea: su petición a Jesús está toda en favor de su hija • AE

…

Fr. Agustin’s Schedule for August 16, 2020.

Twentieth Sunday In Ordinary Time