Saving Grace

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, CMI

Lord Jesus, stretch my arms with yours on the cross in the saving embrace of all mankind.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

All three of today’s readings and the responsorial psalm mesh today to focus our attention on the universality of God’s offer of salvation. God’s mercy and salvation is for all people, regardless of race, creed or colour. United by the saving grace of God, we gather today as one family, mindful of our need for the Lord’s mercy.

In the gospel (Mt. 15:21-28) we see Jesus at first refusing the Canaanite woman’s plea to cure her daughter tormented by a demon. His refusal was not a matter of prejudice but a protocol. The divine protocol had foreordained that salvation should come to sinful humankind, first to the Jews and then to all the peoples of the earth. The Canaanite woman challenged that protocol and, because of her faith and daring, Jesus granted her a share in the blessings of salvation, viz., healing for her daughter.

By extending those salvific blessings to a non-Jew, Jesus was fulfilling the Isaian prophecy that comprises today’s first reading…..” the foreigners who attach themselves to God, who observe what is right and do what is just will also be welcomed and attended by God…for God’s house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples”. (Is. 56:1,6-7)

Paul was also fully aware of the privileges of protocol and he desired that his fellow Jews, who had allowed God’s initial overtures to them (in Jesus) to go un-answered, would not allow God’s continuing overtures of love to pass them by. Paul’s love and concern for both Jews and Gentiles is clearly evidenced in today’s 2nd reading (Rom 11: 13-16,29-32).

Contemporary believers, both Jews and Gentiles, Catholics and Protestants, and followers of Islam, are reminded today by Paul, Isaiah and Jesus that membership in the house of God is open to all. Ever since Jesus stretched out his arms on the cross in the saving embrace of all humankind, no one person, no one group can claim an exclusive right to God, to God’s reign and to access thereof. Because of Jesus and the love of God, the mercy of God and forgiveness of God that has been revealed in him, the protocol has been established…Members – All!.