REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR 20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY – YEAR A
HOMILY Theme: SAY NO TO DISCRIMINATION.
By: Fr A N. Abiagom, CM.
Homily for Sunday.
Readings: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Romans 11:13-15. 29-32 & Matthew 15:21-28.
Dear people of God, the readings of today’s celebration are related by a central theme. Based on my understanding of the scriptural texts, I underscore the central theme of the readings as the “indiscriminate nature of God towards all people”.
In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah, even strangers who keep to the covenant of God, will be brought to his holy mountain. In the second reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans, the gentiles are not excluded from God’s people based on the explanation of Saint Paul that he was rejected by his Jewish brothers in order that God’s salvation might be extended even to the Gentiles too. In the gospel which is taken from Saint Matthew, the Canaanite woman recieved the favour of deliverance from Christ for her daughter through her unwavering faith and hope even though she was not included among the people of Israel.
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If God does not discriminate as the readings have elucidated, why then do human beings discriminate against themselves? Discrimination of colour, racial discrimination, gender discrimination, discrimination with relation to social stratification discrimination among families and in families, discrimination even sometimes in the church where it should not be found.
Our colours may different, our dialects may be strange to each other, we may not be equally rich, some might be literate and others may be illiterates, some may be physically and mentally fit whereas some others may not be, some might be working, whereas others may be without jobs; but through the blood Jesus Christ, we are all one and the same.
At mass, the equality of all human beings before God is evident when we go for communion and we all partake in the one body and blood of Christ.
Therefore, let the rich not look down on the poor. Let the healthy and strong not castigated the sick and weak. Let the educated not mock the uneducated. If there is anyone who is not living a good moral life among us, let those who claim to be righteous not condemn such a person. Let parents not discriminate in their relationship towards their children nor should children discriminate in their dealings with their parents.
The Lord is calling us today to truly be accomodative in our relationship with one another. We pray for the grace of an accommodative and loving spirit among God’s people.
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