Salvation for All

Reflection on Today's Readings, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 16th August, 2020
Texts: Is. 56:1.6-7; Ps. 67:2-35-6.8; Rom. 11:13-15.29-31; Matt. 15:21-28
Whatever circumstance of life we find ourselves, let us always seek to live rightly and just in our dealings. If we continue to live rightly and just, God's plan for us will always come to pass. The choice of the people of Israel has the goal of universal salvation in it: God chose the people of Israel to form them and make them light for all nations to follow. Inspite of their failings God accomplishes his plan through them. Though they went into exile because of their failings, they returned to God and God used them to win souls to himself in their exile. Today's first reading shows that the people of Israel gained converts while they were in exile. God promised salvation to both his people and their converts. God encouraged them to continue in their good deeds. It is written thus: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed". Exile, here, could means a trying moment in the life of anyone. Whatever the experience might be, let us live rightly and just so that God will use us for his own glory and we will gain salvation.
The second reading also concerns itself with the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God. The reading talks of the rejection of those Jews who refused to see the new thing that God is doing; rejection of those rejected the opportunity God availed them: the opportunity to win converts from gentile. Whoever refuses to walk according to God's plan casts himself out of his presence. Paul reminds us that for those people, the mercy of God is still available. If they welcome the mercy of God, they can still be saved. Hope of salvation is always available for sinners.
Today's gospel shows that the Gentiles obtain salvation by faith. This is evident in the story of the Canaanite woman. It written thus: "Then Jesus answered her, 'O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done to you as you desire'. And her daughter was healed instantly". The faith we are talking about here is a proven faith. Hence, the first reading says, "And the foreigners who joined themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath, and does not profane it, and hold fast to my covenant". By faith we are made just and righteous.

Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see the new thing you are doing so as to always walk according to your plans. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke