Sunday Gospel: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Matthew 15:21-28

This week’s gospel provides a fascinating illustration of Jesus’ response to those in need. Jesus has travelled to the area of Tyre and Sidon – part of modern day Lebanon. He was physically removing Himself from the place of His very active ministry and taking a break. When the Canaanite woman approaches Jesus and His disciples, she is an interruption; a nuisance. Jesus is very abrupt with her. He tells her simply that His ministry is to the house of Israel – the Jews – and is not for her. But the woman is persistent and again asks Jesus to help her. Jesus is even more abrupt and tells her that it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs. Through this use of metaphor, Jesus refers to the children of Israel (the Jews) and to the gentiles and pagans – sometimes referred to as ‘dogs’ to reflect their lowly status in the eyes of the Jewish tradition. Still the woman persists and turns Jesus’ metaphor back on Him, saying that even the dogs get to eat the scraps that fall from the table.

The woman’s persistence and faith pay off. Jesus is moved by her faith and through that faith heals the woman’s daughter. Despite His initial abruptness and reluctance, Jesus responds with compassion to the woman’s request. It is as though she needed to demonstrate that she was really serious and that she did in fact believe that Jesus could make a difference in her life and the life of her daughter. This is an important story in Matthew’s gospel. This gospel was written predominantly for Jewish Christians but this story reveals that the ministry of Jesus and the reign of God is open to anyone who believes. (Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Sacrament of Confirmation

Many of our Year 6 students and their families have begun the journey towards Confirmation. We all join in praying for them as they prepare for the Sacrament to be held at the end of this term.

Mass Has Returned!

Due to the recent easing of restrictions, Fr John is now celebrating Sunday Masses once again. All Mass times will remain the same, but due to social distancing measures, all Masses will be celebrated at Holy Trinity, Curtin for the time being. There is a limit of 100 people that can attend each Mass, and the Parish will accept booking online (Trybooking.com, search Transfiguration Parish), or click here or via a phone call to the office.

God bless,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator