14th August 2011 Twentieth Sunday Ordinary Time : Every Dog Has Its Day

Scripture Readings for Sunday's Mass are here along with various reflections

and  this is my reflection on the Gospel from earlier this year.

Gospel Matthew 15 : 21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
"Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!

My daughter is tormented by a demon."
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.

Jesus' disciples came and asked him,
"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."

He said in reply,
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me."

He said in reply,
"It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs."

She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."

Then Jesus said to her in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish."
And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

The woman had the audacity to believe she had the right to eat the same food as the others. So she didn't give up and eventually Jesus responded .

                         LUCK

Sometimes a crumb falls

From the tables of joy

Sometimes a bone

Is flung.

To some people

Love is given,

To others

Only heaven.

           Langston Hughes

  But eventually every dog has its day.....