There is a lesson in today's readings which is easy to miss. It is that one person being chosen, called, and gifted for one purpose does not take away from our diminish anyone else who was not so chosen. The Jewish people is chosen by God and yet that by that very action he brings salvation to the Gentiles.
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.
God choses Mary for a singular grace and yet the whole world benefits from the fruit of that grace. Jesus is sent specifically to the lost sheep of the house of Israel but all the nations are offered the salvation first offered to them.
"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."
We need to approach this mystery with the same humility as the Canaanite woman. We need not insist on being chosen for one thing or another as long as the LORD will give us the thing we truly need.
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
This is about learning to let go of our preferences and to take and even delight in what God wants to give us. Fortunately we know that there is no limit to his mercy or generosity. He desires all peoples to be saved (see First Timothy 2:4), Jew, Greek, slave, free, male or female (see Galatians 3:28). He longs to unite us in a single house of prayer and to make us joyful there.
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.
He doesn't unite us by making us the cookie cutter saints. He unites us precisely through the unique callings each of has. We are many parts but one body in Christ (see Romans 12:5). So, therefore, let us join in one great chorus of praise.
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!
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