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Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Isaiah 56:1, 6-7

Thus says the LORD:
Observe what is right, do what is just;
for my salvation is about to come,
my justice, about to be revealed.

The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
ministering to him,
loving the name of the LORD,
and becoming his servants—
all who keep the sabbath free from profanation
and hold to my covenant,
them I will bring to my holy mountain
and make joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be acceptable on my altar,
for my house shall be called
a house of prayer for all peoples.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

Reading 2 : Romans 11:13-15, 29-32

Brothers and sisters:
I am speaking to you Gentiles.
Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles,
I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous
and thus save some of them.
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world,
what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Just as you once disobeyed God
but have now received mercy because of their disobedience,
so they have now disobeyed in order that,
by virtue of the mercy shown to you,
they too may now receive mercy.
For God delivered all to disobedience,
that he might have mercy upon all.

Alleluia : Cf. Matthew 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus’ disciples came and asked him,
“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply,
“It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

Message from the Readings

Today’s readings proclaim a powerful and hope‑filled truth:
God’s mercy is for everyone—no one is outside His reach, His love, or His saving plan.
• Isaiah announces God’s desire to welcome all nations.
• The psalm calls every people to praise Him.
• Paul reveals God’s universal plan of mercy.
• Jesus responds to a foreign woman with compassion, healing, and praise.
The message is clear: Faith breaks barriers. Mercy crosses borders. God’s love is for all.

Reflection for the Day

The Gospel presents one of the most striking encounters in Jesus’ ministry.
A Canaanite woman—someone outside Israel’s covenant—approaches Jesus with desperation: “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me.”
At first, Jesus is silent. The disciples want her dismissed. She persists. She kneels. She refuses to give up.
Her humility is deep. Her faith is fierce. Her hope is unwavering.
And Jesus responds with a declaration that echoes through the centuries:
“O woman, great is your faith!”
Her daughter is healed. Her perseverance becomes a model for every believer.
Isaiah’s prophecy and Paul’s teaching illuminate this moment: God’s salvation is not limited to one group. His house is a house of prayer for all peoples. His mercy is meant for everyone. His gifts and call are irrevocable.
The Canaanite woman stands as a living sign of this truth: Faith opens doors that human boundaries try to close.
Today’s readings invite us to three movements:

1. Believe that God’s mercy is for you.
   No past, no wound, no label can exclude you from His love.
2. Persevere in prayer.
   Even when God seems silent, keep calling out. Faith grows in persistence.
3. Welcome others with God’s heart.
   Break barriers. Extend mercy. Make your life a “house of prayer for all peoples.”
   Let today be a day of bold faith, wide mercy, and open hearts.

Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, give me the faith of the Canaanite woman— humble, persistent, and courageous.
Teach me to trust Your mercy even when answers seem delayed.
Open my heart to welcome others as You welcome all nations.
Make my life a witness to Your boundless love and Your unstoppable grace.
Amen.