Kaukauna Catholic Parishes

Today’s readings are challenging. For example: What is the church trying to say to us by relating the dialogue that Jesus had with the Canaanite woman? What do all three readings have to do with us, people of the 21^st century?       

The Canaanite woman wins healing for her daughter by showing Jesus her faith in him. She even humbles herself when Jesus tells her that the gifts of the Messiah should not be shared with the Gentiles. She responds that even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table. This common practice at mealtime, when there were no utensils, was to take bread, dip it into the stew pot, eat it and then drop the remaining bread onto the floor, rather than re-dipping it into the pot. It is clear from the Gospel that the faith of the Gentiles and their openness to the wonders of God has earned them a place at the banquet of life.

In our first reading, biblical Israelites were just as nationalistic as people are today. They trusted their kin and suspected any foreigners and their ways. They wanted to keep others out of their society so their community would remain clear and pure of outside

influences. Isaiah came and declared that God loves outsiders too. “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.” God chose foreigners to become His servants which is what the Israelites presumed only themselves to be.

The early Christian church realized that not one nation makes up its numbers but people from every nation. We are universal. We are Catholic. Think of the church as a tapestry with various colors of thread, all forming one picture or a mosaic with various different tiles, all forming one great work of art. Just as the Gentiles and the Jews became a blessing for each other, all the peoples of the Catholic Church are a blessing for each other.

Today, more than ever, the world needs us to uphold Christian values. Recent events in our country are calling us to be a prophetic sign of unity amid our diversity. There are racial tension and tension with the Covid virus. The world needs to see one body of people with diverse backgrounds, all forming one tapestry: the People of God. We must be a sign for our country that our strength comes from the bond of love that does not accept any form of exclusion or prejudice of any peoples. The world needs to witness us living out what we proclaim with our creed “We are One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church.”

May our country see in the unity of the Catholic church, a prophetic sign that ALL lives matter and diverse people can unite in love.

May God’s peace be with you all.
Blessings,
Deacon Mark