Sunday 20 August 2023 – XX of Ordinary Time

+ From the Gospel according to Matthew (15, 21 – 28)

At that time, having left there, Jesus withdrew towards the area of Tire and Sidone. And behold a Canaanite woman, who came from that region, began to cry out: «Have mercy on me, Lord, son of David! My daughter is very tormented by a demon.’ But he didn’t even say a word to her.
Then his disciples came to him and implored him, “Hear her, because she comes after us shouting!” He replied, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But she approached and she prostrated herself before him, saying: «Lord, help me!». And he replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” «It is true, Lord – said the woman – and yet the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table».
Then Jesus replied to her: «Woman, great is your faith! May it happen for you as you wish ». And from that instant his daughter was healed.

Word of the Lord.