Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 16, 2026 (EPISODE-598)
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 16, 2026 (EPISODE-598)
Readings for Sunday, August 16, 2026 - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
FIRST READING: Isa 56:1, 6-7
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6+8. "O God, let all the nations praise you"
SECOND READING: Rom 11:13-15, 29-32
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 4:23). Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom. And healed all who were sick.
GOSPEL: Matt 15:21-28
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/xHU2RyTN1BccBNwTzuTv/on-the-outskirts-of-a-town-a-canaanite-woman-begs-jesus-to-heal-family-member-who-is-ill-in-the-far-?ru=Paul-Evangelion
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass (Readings, prayers, and homily) for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, August 16, 2026, by clicking this link here: https://on.soundcloud.com/8A0wCfdnVuYWWOvASz (EPISODE-598)
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[' gospel' values included in the readings: inclusion, welcome, openness, mercy, compassion, persistence in faith]
This weekend’s readings remind us of one of the key teachings and attitudes of Our Lord. They reveal to us a central value and attitude in the life of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit): openness, inclusion, and welcome.
Love that reaches out is always open to “yet one more person” becoming part of the family—one more, and one more after that, and so on endlessly.
Our Lord shows us God’s nature as inclusive, welcoming, compassionate, forgiving, and flexible—able to respond to others and their needs. God’s values are constant, eternal, and powerful; and at the same time, God is open and responsive. Wonderful.
Whenever we encounter restrictive, “not listening”, unwelcoming, or exclusive situations, it is very likely that the value is not resonating with Our Lord’s teachings. In obedience and by imitating the Lord, the Church always strives to be a welcoming, compassionate, open, and inclusive community.
The faith of that lady who persisted in asking Our Lord for what she needed is sadly in stark contrast with the response many of Our Lord’s own people were giving to him—he was “one of them”, one of their own people, one of the chosen ones. Yet many of his own people rejected him.
Here was a lady from a different place and religion who knew she was taking a risk in approaching him. And still she persisted, even when she received an initial and notable rebuff—not only from the disciples, but also in Our Lord’s initial response.
The lady persists because she knows that Jesus is the one who can help. She knows that he is the Messiah who will welcome the chosen ones to his table, even if she is not one of his flock. She hopes and prays that her faith in him—and her closeness to the table of God’s grace—will be enough to share, at least, in the overflow of blessings she knows will come from that table.
The Canaanite woman is willing to share in any “scrap or morsel” of the richness God has to offer. Ironically, that richness is not being appreciated by those who sit at the table. And she is right. Our Lord does not merely tell her that she can enjoy the scraps that fall from the chosen one’s table—he is saying, in effect: because of your faith and persistence, you can join the table. What faith! What persistence!
We cannot see the faces of all involved in this scene, but if we could, I think a deeper reality might become apparent. Our Lord’s reaction to her—at first glance—appears cold, and even harsh, “on paper”. However, I believe he was using language that would have been very familiar and common at the time, as in: “Is it right that I, who was sent to the chosen ones of Israel, should take the food I have to give them and cast it to outsiders?”
Or perhaps he was allowing her to demonstrate just how strong her faith in him was, and how determined she truly was. How different her response is from the lukewarm response of those “chosen ones” around him, for whom he was indeed first offering his good news.
I imagine that when the lady replied as she did, Our Lord would have smiled—thrown his head back and laughed. Not a scornful laugh, of course. Rather, a laugh of delight, approval, and recognition. This lady gets it. She understands what he is offering, and she is not even from their own clan.
This humble woman wants to share in even the smallest piece of the blessings that others cannot even see. And then his warmth and inclusion are complete.
There are references in the Gospel to Our Lord starting out addressing the chosen ones of Israel. However, by the end of his ministry, that focus has widened to include everyone and anyone who will respond positively to him and to his message.
The chosen ones are now anyone and everyone who responds in faith, love, and trust to what the Lord is offering.
This is a blessing so great it simply cannot be overstated.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
MISSION 2000 – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY. YEAR A. BY MARK LINK S.J.
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/xHU2RyTN1BccBNwTzuTv/on-the-outskirts-of-a-town-a-canaanite-woman-begs-jesus-to-heal-family-member-who-is-ill-in-the-far-?ru=Paul-Evangelion
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A (Sunday, August 16, 2026) (EPISODE-598)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Goodness and kindness to you all}}
My brothers and sisters, we have gathered to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, - so let us pause and reflect upon our sins to rejoice in God's loving mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6+8. "O God, let all the nations praise you"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 4:23). Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom. And healed all who were sick.
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary III
Euch Prayer II
(theme variation: 3)
(pre+post variation: v1-short)
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{Thank you for giving generously of your time and prayer.}
Go in peace. (glorifying the Lord by your life)
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)
Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor
[Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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