INCLUSIVENESS

The liturgy of today focuses on the universality of the church, which is open to all people. It challenges our cultural norms and reminds us of the need for inclusiveness in practicing our faith and belief. 

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah made known to us the promise of God for those outside the borders of Israel. When God said He will bring the foreigners to his holy mountain, it is Mount Zion, the location of the holy city and the holy temple. In it, there are different courts, which are restricted from the others. The temple is divided into several increasingly holy areas, to which access was restricted (the court of the Gentiles (outer), the women, the Jewish court, and the court of priests). Invariably, God intends to break down the barriers that have been established to keep Gentiles in the far reaches of the temple, the barriers that convey special privileges to the Jews and deny those privileges to the Gentiles. 

Through the prophet Isaiah, God wants us to realize that His mercy has no limits or boundaries. His mercy is available for all tribes, people, nations, races, or languages who are ready and willing to accept His invitation to salvation, and his mercy is not restricted only to the faithful Israelites. Put differently, the prophet Isaiah tells us that there is no discrimination or favouritism when it comes to God’s mercy. Among us, there should not be any form of exclusiveness but an inclusive attitude towards others, regardless of their background, tribe, religion or nationality. We should endeavour to create a receptive community where everyone feels valued and appreciated, and not a hostile community looking down on others. 

Similarly, Christ in the Gospel extends his salvation to the district of Tyre and Sidon, which were Gentile or pagan territories. Here in these territories, He encountered a Canaanite woman who expressed great faith of intercession on behalf of her daughter, who was severely possessed by a demon and needed salvation. At this point of encounter between the Canaanite woman and Christ, this Gentile territory became a place of prayer, which reflect the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading, “for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Is 56:7). Not just for the Jews, but now the Gentiles who wish and are ready to respond to God’s invitation.

In fact, two good examples of great faith Christ applauded were from unexpected places (the Roman centurion who asked for healing of his servant and the Canaanite woman who asked for healing of her daughter). This goes a long way to tell us that God’s mission to save us (sinners) has no boundary. God will never give up on us; despite our constant breaking of the laws, he will keep showing mercy, for mercy is His nature. As Pope Francis will say, “God is not tired of forgiving. It is we who are tired of asking for forgiveness.” 

Fr. Ken Dogbo. OSJ