20 August 2017

20th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7
Psalm 66: 2-3, 5-6, 8
Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32
The Gospel of Matthew 15: 21-28

Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, ‘Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.’ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. ‘Give her what she wants,’ they said ‘because she is shouting after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord,’ she said ‘help me.’ He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

Note how perseveringly this Canaanite woman calls Him first “Son of David,” then “Lord,” and lastly “came and worshipped him,” as God. Wonderful are shown the faith, patience, and humility of this woman. Faith, that she believed that her daughter could be healed; patience, that so many times overlooked, she yet perseveres in her prayers; humility, that she compares herself not to the dogs, but to the whelps. I know, she says, that I do not deserve the children’s bread, and that I cannot have whole meat, nor sit at the table with the master of the house, but I am content with that which is left for the whelps, that through humble fragments I may come to the fullness of the perfect bread.

Wonderful change of things! Once Israel was the son, and we the dogs; the change in faith has led to a change in the order of our names. Concerning them is that said, “Many dogs surround me,” (Ps 22:16) while to us is said, as to this woman, “Your faith has saved you.”
St. John Chrysostom, Catena Aurea

Saints of the week
Mon 21 Saint Pius X, Pope 
Tue 22 Our Lady, Mother and Queen 
Wed 23 Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin  
Thu 24 Saint Bartholomew, Apostle Feast 
Fri 25 Saint Louis, King and Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest  
Sat 26 Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified, Virgin and Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary    

Psalter Week IV

Next Sunday’s Readings
Isaiah 22:19-23
Ps 137:1-3, 6,8.
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

St Joseph of Calasanz

St. Joseph of Calasanz was born in Spain 1556, as a young man he earned degrees in both Law and theology. After the death of his mother and brother, his father wanted him to continue the family name but illness prevented it and Joseph went on to become a priest instead. He worked for a few years in Spain before being called to Rome, a great field for works of charity. Fr. Joseph joined a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and began taking youth from the streets to bring them to school, but the teachers began to complain for the extra work, which eventually caused Fr. Joseph to open his own school in 1597; this was the first free public school in modern Europe, at a time when not everyone liked the idea of educating the poor. However, many volunteers began to offer their help, even Pope Clement VIII gave an annual contribution, and soon, Fr. Joseph had about a thousand children under his charge. In 1602 he also began to live in community with his assistants, which later became the Order of Piarists, but much envy and opposition arose against him and his new institute. Fr. Joseph lived and died a faithful son of the Church, a true father for abandoned children. His body rests under the main altar in the Church of St. Pantaleon in Rome. He was declared a saint by Pope Clement XIII, 16 July, 1767.

St. Joseph of Calasanz, pray for us.

Thank you for your prayers: As our Parish Priest nears the end of his trip abroad, we pray for the fruits of both his Mission Appeal in the U.S. and his visit to the IVE mission in Peru on their 30th anniversary. Fr. Carlos’ presence in Peru was very significant as he was one of the two founding priests of this, the first IVE mission outside of Argentina. May our Blessed Mother bring him back to Cyprus safe and sound.

CARITAS PAPHOS currently needs:

• Nοn-perishable food to support approximately 40 households a week in the Paphos area.
• Computer whiz to manage crowdfunding appeals.
• Teachers for basic Greek.
• Transportation of students (lifts).

Prayers and donations always help. Contact Wendy Burdon 99 040294.

Archangel Michael Hospice: Volunteers needed in the areas of reception, nursing assistants and cafeteria. Contact Mona (99 494 140).

Mass Times HERE