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August 16, 2017One of the more difficult Gospels to comprehend comes up this Sunday – Jesus’ reacting to the Canaanite woman who seeks healing for her daughter (Matthew 15: 21-28). In a most startling way, Jesus at first dismisses her because he says he came to save the lost sheep but only the lost sheep of Israel and she is a Canaanite. Where is the inclusiveness we have come to expect from Jesus? But he takes a second look when she expresses her faith by asking him, “Lord, help me.” Even then he gives a disturbing response, seeming to equate her with begging dogs. When she again asserts her faith by challenging him again, he recognizes her faith and heals her daughter. He recognizes that all lost sheep are part of his mission.
This is not an easy dialogue for Jesus to have, or for us to hear. It requires us to follow his change of heart, and to open our hearts to similar change, similar openness to new forms of radical inclusiveness.
This week, Sunday's Gospel might remind us of the very difficult dialogue and rhetoric going on in our country following the disturbing, violent, deadly events that took place in Charlottesville, VA in response to the proposed removal of a symbol of Confederate ideology, a statue of Robert E. Lee. It seems inconceivable that in 2017 our country could even be debating the moral equivalency of white supremacy and those who stand in opposition to white supremacy. And yet we are.
As Catholics, we are called to be clear in standing against all forms of racist oppression. We are called to be a light in the darkness of evil. Our United States Bishops released this very clear statement about the teaching of the Catholic Church during this controversy: “We stand against the evil of racism, white supremacy and neo-nazism. We stand with our sisters and brothers united in the sacrifice of Jesus, by which love's victory over every form of evil is assured…let us offer a special prayer of gratitude for the brave souls who sought to protect us from the violent ideology displayed [last weekend]. Let us especially remember those who lost their lives. Let us join their witness and stand against every form of oppression.” Full statement
This week, we celebrated the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. If you are at a loss for words in your prayer on this subject, consider this prayer:
Mary, Queen of Peace, we pray that your intercession may protect us and all people from hatred and discord, and direct our hearts into the ways of peace and justice which your Son taught and exemplified. We ask your maternal care for our Holy Father who works to reconcile the nations in peace. We seek your guidance for our President and other leaders that they will strive for world peace.
Glorious Queen of Peace, grant us peace in our hearts, harmony in our families and concord throughout the world. Immaculate Mother, as patroness of our beloved country, watch over us and protect us with your motherly love. Amen.
