Sunday 16 August 2026
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7. O God, let all the nations praise you! – Ps 66(67):2-3, 5-6, 8. Romans 11:13-15, 29-32. Matthew 15:21-28. 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The Canaanite woman asks for pity and Jesus responds in love
This heading doesn’t capture the whole story from today’s reading from Matthew. It does however capture the essence of the lesson to be learned.
A woman, not a Jew, seeks pity from Jesus. She wants him to hear and heed her plea for help. She wants Jesus to drive out the unclean spirit tormenting her daughter. He does not respond. His disciples urge him to do as asked. They are embarrassed by her shouting after them. Jesus seems to believe, at this time, that his work is only with the ‘lost sheep of Israel’. The woman falls at his feet – ‘Help me’ she pleads.
Ultimately it is not his disciples’ embarrassment but her ‘great faith’ that carries the day for her and her daughter by drawing on the unconditional love of Jesus.
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