Homily for August 7, 2019

Human nature often causes us to be quick to assess people purely by our own standard of what is right and good; we sometimes measure their worth by their function or their usefulness in accomplishing our own goals and interests; we sometimes quickly size people up by our own inaccurate and often prejudicial stereotypes.

In honoring the goodness, sincerity and love of the Canaanite woman for her sick child – who as a Canaanite, represented one of Israel’s despised enemies – Jesus illuminates our vision, enabling us to see one another as God sees us: as made in God’s image and as ambassadors of the love of God.

The call to discipleship demands that we look beyond labels and stereotypes to recognize that every person is a child of God, that all of us are brothers and sisters in Christ and that all of us are called to serve one another. If we reject others simply because they are different from us, then we reject Christ who is in everyone and works through everyone.

Let us pray that we may see others with eyes that are illumined by the light of faith, that we may recognize the presence and the voice of God dwelling deep within each person. May we recognize, too, that the person we see in the mirror each day, is also made in God’s image and that we are called upon to be the presence of Christ to others, seeing them with the eyes of love and compassion. +