Sunday Reflections

            Our second reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians contains one of the most ancient texts of the New Testament. In this reading, Paul is quoting a pre-existing hymn to Christ. Most Bibles give evidence to this by indenting the text.

Please read today’s commentary with the following statement as a background: we are not happy with God because we want our just deserts from God and this does not happen as we want.

Forgiveness has almost a ‘magical’ power.  It is sought out by all of us, yet can be (at times) so difficult to give.  Peter thought that he would be applauded for his response to Jesus, to forgive “seven times”, as the number seven is significant in Judaism, referring to perfection.  But Jesus surprises him (and takes away some of Peter’s ‘thunder’) when he says “seven-seven time”.  The parable calls us to be generous in forgiving, as we are forgiven so generously by God.  When we forgive, we not only give a gift to the other, but we release ourselves from a burden

Maybe we have had the experience of hearing something that we did that hurt, irritated or angered someone from a third party. If you have, do you remember the feeling that was triggered as a result?  Most likely, it was a feeling of anger or sadness.

Each and all of us feel important and so no one wants to be alone.  All of us want to belong.  Our human nature is not so much personal as it is collective.  Today’s Scriptural readings and statements push this idea.  “Fear is exclusive. Belonging is inclusive.”  (Anthony Chezzi, commentary in Living with Christ missalette for this Sunday).

It was easy for the disciples to respond to Jesus’ inquiry, “Who do people say I am?” because it only meant passing on the words of others.  However, when He asked, “Who do YOU say I am?” it was quite different, because it demanded a declaration of faith.

“And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came out and called to him….” Matthew is clear in identifying this woman as a Canaanite. Remember, these were the people who inhabited the Promised Land as Israel crossed the Jordan River under the leadership of Joshua. They were the people who stood in the way of their promised future. They were the ones who Israel was called to dispossess. They were the hated enemies of Israel.

“We have all taken steps out in faith” (Margaret Bick, Living With Christ commentary in the missalette) and found out that Faith was enough; at our core, we know God is with us.

The multiplication of the loaves and fishes reminds us that Jesus can make something out of nothing.  As God-made-man He had the power to multiply these elements to feed the multitude of people who had followed him to a deserted place, and now were experiencing hunger.  Perhaps sometimes we too feel like we have nothing to offer, only a few loaves and fishes (for so many).  However, through the blessing of God and His grace we can use well that which we have and are – whether we think it is a little or a lot – and offer it in gratitude to Him, and to share with others. 

Something amazing happens in our first reading (1 Kings 3:5-12++)!