God's universal and unconditional love extends through us to people who are marginalized
By Sister Jane Riha
The call of the readings for this Sunday is clearly inclusivity of all peoples. Jesus roamed the countryside many ages ago and included in his inner circle those who were marginalized and shunned. We are called to open our hearts and minds to those considered to be “foreigners” or “unacceptable.” Our Pope Francis is such a marvelous witness of this. During the World Youth Day in Portugal, he said this: “There is room for everyone in the church, and, wherever there is not, then, please make room, including for those who make mistakes, who fall or struggle.”
In Jesus' time, there was segregation, the insiders were the people of Israel and the outsiders were designated Gentiles. Even in those times, there was a movement for reconciliation through the advocacy of St. Paul. We have had so many experiences recently of prejudice and discrimination in our own land. Foreigners are desiring to come into our country. Each of these persons should be treated with dignity and respect. That is our call as Christians and witnesses of the Gospel.
The love of God is universal and unconditional. This is what the Scriptures reveal to us through Jesus’ own words and through the various stories of faith-filled persons. In 2000, the U.S. Catholic Bishops issued the document "Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity." A statement issued 23 years ago has relevancy for today as it continues to call forth conversion for all disciples of Jesus. The following are some quotes for reflection from that document:
“As Catholics we are called to take concrete measures to overcome the misunderstanding, ignorance, competition, and fear that stand in the way of genuinely welcoming the stranger in our midst and enjoying the communion that is our destiny as Children of God.”
“Wherever the diverse cultures of a parish and diocese are able to share the Eucharist in special celebrations that reflect the cultural riches of the participants, the Church demonstrates in the sacrament of unity the multicultural face of the Church.”
“We call upon all people of good will, but Catholics especially, to welcome the newcomers in their neighborhoods and schools, in their places of work and worship, with heartfelt hospitality, openness, and eagerness both to help and to learn from our brothers and sisters of whatever religion, ethnicity, or background.”
Excellent, Sr. Jane. Thank you for sharing your findings. I am grateful for your deep convictions of love and faith, which move you to seek truth and knowledge.
I know what it feels like to be this woman.
Whereas, long time tradition has deemed her "unworthy" to seek the help of the LORD, and most assuredly not to enter his presence, yet her strong, courageous love for her daughter overcomes her handed-on fears, and, like other "believing" women in the stories of JESUS, the Canaanite woman persists in her pursuit of JESUS' help.
Whereas the men-disciples want to dismiss her, saying "Send her away," yet her lived faith and soul-filled pleas of prayer are revealed in the men's next statement: "She keeps calling out after us." [Matt. 15:23]
And then, the 'unthinkable' happens. This 'brazen' woman moves herself even closer to JESUS, making sure she is right there in front of him, saying: "Lord, help me."
What do I learn from this:
+ Human need takes precedence over tribal membership.
+ Human need supersedes and takes precedence over long-time traditions that no longer serve to heal and help humanity, but, instead, cause further harm to our one, common humanity and shared earth-home.
+ Exclusion is not practiced in the Realm of God.
+ Ignoring human need is not an option where Compassion "Par Excellence" lives and reigns Supreme.
And then, to top this off, incorporate and contemplate THIS into your prayer with JESUS today:
*** In the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible, Canaan was a son of Ham and grandson of Noah, as well as the father of the Canaanites!!
*** This gospel story is not only about REVERSING THE TEACHINGS and PRACTICES of PREJUDICE and DISCRIMINATION, it is also about RE-UNITING, and BRINGING INTO COMMUNION all those who, originally, came from Our ONE FATHER, ONE GOD, and CREATOR of ALL.
*** All who were SEPARATED because of jealousy, rivalry, trickery, misunderstanding ..... ALL that divides us ...... ALL that hurts us ...... ALL that demeans, degrades, destroys human goodness and human "innocence," is now being reconciled through the Person, JESUS.
*** This story is about UNIVERSAL SALVATION -- for All Time, for All Peoples.
*** This story is about CARING ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION/S SO MUCH that we will OVERCOME OUR HANDED-DOWN GENERATIONAL BIASES, even PETTINESS and NARROW-MINDEDNESS, for the SAKE OF THE GREATER GOOD, the GREATER WHOLE.
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"THANKS BE TO GOD!"
"PRAISE and HONOR to You, LORD, JESUS, CHRIST!"