Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28

Generally, I do not think about my godchild Xiao as Chinese. She is simply my godchild and that is as it should be. Nonetheless, it was Xiao who gave me the hope that we are making some progress in valuing diversity.

It was only after the event that a Jewish friend remarked about the hope she had that day. There I was—a Catholic Chancellor at a Hanukkah celebration to hear my Chinese godchild singing a Jewish song. At that festival, there was neither Jew nor Christian, neither Asian nor Caucasian, neither white nor black. It seemed normal and natural that we would be together. It is not always so.

The foundations of American society are built on the premise that we are created equal. Equality ought not deny the gifts of the Spirit. These are shared gifts given to the community through individuals and groups. In giving ourselves to others, we enrich the community without diminishing ourselves. This is the way of the Lord.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reaches out to a woman who seems to be a nuisance. Generally, the Lord preached only in Jewish territory. When he approached the region of Tyre and Sidon, only the Jews would be expected to come to hear him. The woman in the Gospel is not a Jew.

In another Scriptural passage, Jesus pointed out that, if the pagans of this area had received the ministry that was given to Galilee, they would have been converted. This instance in the Gospel seems to prove that point. It also fulfills Isaiah’s words that God will respond to the foreigners who “join themselves to the Lord.”

This same Lord who never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice can extend the gift. While remaining true to his promise to save Israel, the Lord embraced others.
Again and again, Jesus enriched those whom he touched without becoming less. At Eucharist, we come to receive the Lord and to give ourselves to the Father through Jesus. The Christian community declares that Jesus came to save all. Yet, we are too often caught up in a preoccupation with our own divine election. We pity those who have not been saved and seem not to realize that salvation as the Father’s plan is a gift we give one another in the Church and in Christ Jesus.

Just as Americans must overcome the poverty of thought that forces us to consider external differences, we Christians must move beyond our own saved state to the redemption of humankind. Just as no American can be free until all are free, no Christian can be fully saved until all are saved. We are a missionary Church.
The Risen Christ is actively redeeming humankind through the Church. As we become one, the reality of Eucharist is realized in life and the Kingdom is made present.