August 17, 2014 20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME LOVE FOR HUMANITY! INTRODUCTION: Jesus in His ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God experienced rejection that brought growing hostilities among religious authorities. Was this an escapist stand directly shunning away from and leaving Gennesaret for good? Feel the sensitivity of Jesus’ love for humanity. Jesus in His ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God embodies everyday life situation typical of His ministry where God leads. Enter into a point of direction where the story leads to new possibilities. Although even how radical it seems God’s providence awaits. Today’s Gospel, God also embodies the life of the disciples embracing the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Among others too, in their experience of grace and salvation in the name of love they feel His presence by searching in hope. The Good News is from the 15th chapter of Matthew from verses 21-28 as I propose this title “LOVE FOR HUMANITY! ’’ GRASP THE LESSON: Significant in the mission of Jesus is His decisive decision to withdraw from and move on to a more challenging experience. He is an ideal mission model, a spiritual leader and guide. What guarantees this new dimension of the mission in the proclamation of the kingdom? Significant in the mission of Jesus is the message as the focal point of interest. Jesus has more at stake lessons of life to partake. Withdrawing from a rejected past is not an escapist attitude. This is for God’s way in building the needed spirituality in Jesus of Nazareth. “Lord what guarantees the attitude of Jesus to announce the message that leads to new possibilities is in His own experience of rejection. Often than not experiences of rejection would lead to new possibilities in faith being opened up. Help me believe in hope that there’s always Your abiding presence in Jesus name. Amen.” Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28): 21 Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Then out came a Canaanite woman from the district and started shouting, “Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.” 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. “Give her what she wants,” they said, “because she is shouting after us.” 24 He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” 25 But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. “Lord,” she said, “help me.” 26 He replied, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house dogs.” 27 She retorted, “Ah, yes sir; but even house dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.” And from that moment her daughter was well again. THE MESSAGE: “Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.” It was in Galilee where Jesus identified His mission among people He lived with. Tyre and Sidon were places of new beginnings. How good it is to experience new challenges in the mission. Let grace be at work. “Give her what she wants because she is shouting after us.” It was a mother’s concern for her daughter. Such commitment was to a noble cause. For others she was a bothersome annoying person. The abatement of nuisance was because of her faith. God’s power was therein! “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house dogs.” It was a good humor because the woman’s advantage made her retort about the ‘craps.’ This brought new richness in faith. The message of Jesus wrought new dimensions for the mission. So be it! “Lord, You let Jesus explore His mission taking more challenging role. Give me a new understanding of faith when rejection comes that I would not give in to discouragement. Help me realize that ‘scraps falling from the table’ are graces too that nourish. You are my selflessness as assurance to spiritual maturity in Jesus. Amen.” ACT AND RESOLVE: Celebrate the faith people have. The faith of the ‘woman’ in the Gospel captures a sense of awe and amazement. Share an experience of awe-inspiring to a person with deep impression of faith. Celebrate love for humanity. The faith of the ‘woman’ epitomizes myriad people with new dimensions to mission. Share my role-model for others in the name of love even in the midst of discouragement. What courses of personal actions and/or community development will then be undertaken? CONCLUDING PRAYER: Let us pray, Father, I pray to help me see life sustained by your guidance. Jesus in His ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God experienced rejection that brought growing hostilities among religious authorities. Build in me the attitude of Jesus of Nazareth to move on to more challenging experiences. He is an ideal mission model, a spiritual leader and guide. Amen. Father, You let Jesus explore His mission taking more challenging role. Give us new understanding of faith when rejection comes that we would not give in to discouragement. Beyond human limitations we can do great things. Help us believe in hope that there’s always Your abiding presence in Jesus name. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:56:57 +0000
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