Some thoughts for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Last week, I compared our current uncertain church climate to the disciples battling a storm at sea. Our readings this week invite us to trust in God's abundance in all this uncertainty.

Matthew 15:10-28 looks back to Jesus living God's abundant generosity in feeding the 5000+. It begins with Jesus teaching that keeping rules for their own sake or to receive a reward is not what those rules are about. but what they reveal about our hearts. This is put to the test when an outsider Gentile woman approaches Jesus. Despite not being a Jew her persistent love for her daughter drives her to confront Jesus with her unwavering trust that he could heal her. And many would say she taught him that there is more than enough grace for both the House of Israel and those seen as dogs, and he was more than he realised.

Meanwhile, Paul explores how the split Gentile and Jewish churches in Rome can work together by trusting God’s faithfulness. He confronts two competing groups who each believe they have the only right way, urging them both to be humble. Paul reminds them, and us, that none of us know it all; our faith is entirely about God’s freely offered mercy rather than our own knowledge or actions.

Finally, Psalm 67 invites us to recognize and receive God's unearned abundant grace. During these uncertain times God’s gracious activity is all around us. Let us be like that un-named woman and be persistent and unwavering in our trust, that we may be icons of God’s ongoing blessing helping all we meet know that they too are blessed.

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