HOMILIES

Dear Audience,
For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A)

Aug 16, 2026

155

Listen Read

First Reading

A reading from the first Book of the Prophet Isaiah (56:1, 6-7)

Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.

The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ministering to Him, loving the name of the Lord, and becoming His servants - all who keep the Sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms of David (67:2-3, 5-6, 8)

(R) O God, let all the nations praise you!

May God have pity on us and bless us; may He let His face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon Earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R)

May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the Earth you guide. (R)

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the Earth fear Him! (R)

Second Reading

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (11:13-15, 29-32)

Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. In as much as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that He might have mercy upon all.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Gospel

A reading from the Gospel according to 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.

(P) The Gospel of the Lord.
(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

A young man is on trial for killing his own parents. When he is about to be sentenced, he begs the judge to spare his life. The judge asks him for one good reason why he should be shown any mercy. "I'm an orphan, your honour," the boy replies. This story teaches us that we can always seek God's mercy no matter what we have done, because His love is endless, His grace is free, and He is always ready to forgive a repentant heart.

God's Mercy is a core theme in the Bible. It defines God's mercy as deeply connected to His great love, deep compassion, endless kindness, and slow patience. Instead of punishing people as their sins deserve, God chooses to hold back the punishment, gives comfort in hard times, provides clear guidance for life choices, offers daily help, and grants a fresh start to anyone who asks. The Bible shares many stories of people who received God's mercy regardless of their backgrounds and despite their huge mistakes or terrible sins. Today's readings (Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Romans 11:13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28) highlight God's mercy breaking through all human barriers to welcome foreigners, outsiders, and those trapped in disobedience into His covenant family. God's grace is open to all people.

While God revealed His mercy and grace earlier at creation by bringing life into existence and providing for human beings despite future flaws and by saving Noah, his family, and the animals in the ark during the floods, the specific covenant plan of redemptive grace visibly began when God chose Abraham freely by grace and unilaterally promised him land, numerous descendants, and a divine protection that would extend to all families on earth, Genesis (12). God's promise to Abraham continued through his son Isaac, and then his grandson Jacob who was named "Israel" and then the twelve sons of Jacob who became the twelve tribes of Israel, also known as the Israelites. While God remained faithful, the Israelites turned away from Him and forgot His miraculous deeds. They chose to worship false idols and broke their promise to obey His laws, Exodus (1:7), Psalm (106). Hence, God allowed them to face hard times like exile to discipline them for turning away from His laws, to test and purify their faith, and to fulfil His ultimate plan of bringing them back to Him with pure heart. Even then, they ignored the warnings and calls to repentance by the prophets, and ultimately, rejected God's only Son, Jesus Christ who came into the world to save sinners, give eternal life, and reconcile humanity to God, John (3:17), 1 Timothy (1:15).

In his letter to the Romans (9-11), Paul describes the state of the Israelites who have stumbled over Christ. He asserts that even though a large portion of the Israelites are slow to believe in Jesus, God has not rejected them. As you might recall, we read about it in the last week's reading. Paul expressed great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart for his own people, the Israelites, because they had largely rejected Jesus as the Messiah. He noted that despite their rich spiritual heritage, divine covenants, the laws, the promises, and being the human ancestry of the Messiah many of his people had rejected Jesus, causing him profound personal grief and distress.

In today's text (Romans 11:13-15, 29-32) Paul explains further the state of the Israelites and exhorts the Gentiles or the non-Jewish Christians how they should react towards the newfound blessing that they have been able to receive, that is, the mercy of God through their faith in Jesus Christ. First, Paul emphasizes that God has not abandoned the Israelites, and their temporary rejection is part of a larger plan to bring mercy to the whole world. He writes, "I am speaking to you, Gentiles. In as much as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead", Romans (13-15).

Whenever Paul preached to the Gentiles, to whom he was specially called (Acts 26:16-18), he made every effort to magnify the joy of his converts, and at the same time consciously aligned himself with the purpose and plan of God. God's plan is to save all those who believe in Jesus Christ. The Jewish people's reluctance to accept the gospel opened the door for non-Jewish people worldwide to receive grace and peace with God. Therefore, Paul reasons that seeing Gentiles receive God's spiritual blessings and mercy would make his own people, referring to Jews or physical descendants of Israel, jealous, and stir them up to seek God through their faith in Jesus Christ so that they might be saved, Romans (13-14). So, Paul uses a rhetorical question to argue that if a negative event (the rejection) produced global reconciliation, a positive event (their acceptance) would be drastically wonderful. Paul uses the phrase "life from the dead" as a metaphor to describe the overwhelming spiritual awakening and an injection of divine life into a state of spiritual death of the Israelites. In other words, the Israelites' eventful acceptance will be so miraculous that it can be compared to a dead person coming back to life.

Secondly, Paul emphasizes that God's covenant, gifts and calling given to the Israelites are permanent, unchangeable, and ultimately tied to God's mercy for all people. He writes, "For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all", Romans (29-32).

Paul reminds the Gentile Christians that they used to disobey God. But because the Israelites rejected the gospel, the door was open for them to hear about the mercy of God found in Jesus Christ. However, God has not grown tired of choosing or keeping His covenant promises to the Israelites forever. Paul explains that just as they experienced mercy after a period of rebellion, the Israelites' current disobedience will ultimately lead them to experience the same mercy and grace shown to them (Gentiles) because of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul further states that God allows both Gentiles and Israelites to spend time in disobedience or rebellion so that He may have mercy on them all and no group can boast before Him.

What is the message for us?

God allows all of us to experience disobedience so that He could show mercy and grace to everyone and display His ultimate glory. God's grace is unending. While our sins are many, God's mercy is more. We all can see the great reach of the mercy of God among both Jews and Gentiles. And He will continue to work many miracles and wonders by His mercy and for His glory.
Even though there were many factors that led the Jewish people to reject Jesus as their Messiah, it can be stated simply that they did not believe in Him because they did not want to believe. It is the same reason most people throughout history have rejected, and reject even today, Jesus as the Messiah. It is not because that they can't believe but rather they do not want to believe. It is not that such people need more evidence, it is that they do not act upon the evidence that they already have. These people could be our own children or friends or parents or members of our family. But Paul teaches us today that even those who are stuck in their ways have not stumbled so badly as to never have opportunity to be saved again. The offer of salvation is freely extended to unbelievers as well. They will have opportunities to see the wonders of God in their lives. So, instead of worrying about their rejection of God or our faith or lack of interest in our faith, let us live out our Christian charity, faith, hope, love, kindness, generosity and compassion which provide witness to others and bring them to God.
Before knowing Jesus, we were spiritually dead in our sins and followed the ways of the world. But now, through Jesus Christ, we are adopted into God's family and inherit the spiritual heritage and promises first given to Abraham. Therefore, we should never forget who we were, who we are now, and to whom we belong.

God's promises in Christ give us a firm foundation to stand on every day. When we are in Christ, we are forgiven of all our sins, including past, present, and future ones (Acts 10:43), we are never alone for He is with us always, through every high and low (Matthew 28:20), we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), we are given eternal life or life forever with God (John 3:16), and we are at peace with God (Philippians 4:6-7). So, let us stand firm in our faith in Jesus. Also, as God is still actively working to transform, heal, and redeem people both Jews and Gentiles, let us keep spreading the Gospel, keep expecting life change, keep praying for people, and keep trusting in the promises of God.

(P) Amen.

God Bless You!

Content Options

to download the audio file Sign In » or Register ».
generate Google Translate Layout ».
share this homily via:

Top of Page

More Homilies this Month

Use the Prev or Next buttons to read or listen to the other homilies of the month.

« Prev Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) Next » Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A)