Rarely do I begin with a text of scripture but today I`m to begin that we may ponder on what is the alternative Communion Antiphon from John chapter 6 and verses 51 and 52:   ` I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord.   Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever.`
Today, indeed, is one of those Sundays when we can stop thinking of God as though He is our own property because we are Christians and, instead, realise that He is not exclusively our property but rather that he s the God of the whole world and of all ages, of Christians and non-Christians alike;   We can, therefore with great thankfulness celebrate his mercy to others who are NOT of our faith as well as ourselves.
All three of today`s Mass readings point to the universal love of God for His creation.   In verse 1 of chapter 56 of Isaiah`s Prophecy the prophet declares:   `Thus says the Lord:   Have a care for justice, act with integrity, for soon my salvation will come and my integrity be manifest.`   In verses 6 and 7 he tells how the Lord God will honour foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord that they may serve Him and be His servants and for those who observe the sabbath and cling to His covenant he will bring to His holy mountain making them joyful in His house of prayer , accepting their sacrifices and holocausts at His altar and that “my house will be a house of prayer for all the people.”    The passage was probably written about 520 BC when the Hebrews began returning from exile and it very much looks forward to what is to happen with the coming of the Messiah – Jesus our Lord.   For the Messiah although He is the One promised to redeem God`s First Chosen people in spite of their waywardness, idolatry, and lack of faith yet the Saving love of God is proclaimed for all peoples who will follow the Lord, by keeping the sabbath and not profaning it, clinging to His covenant and will be rewarded for their faithfulness from whatever people they come.
In a not dissimilar way St. Paul, in chapter 11 of his Letter to the Romans, just seven verses we heard read as the second reading, declares to them, pagans that they are, “I have been sent to the pagans as their apostle, and am proud of being sent, but the purpose is to make my own people envious of you, and in this way save some of them.”   Just as St. Peter has been regarded, in a special sense, as the Apostle of God`s first chosen people the Jews so St. Paul has been known as the Apostle of the Gentiles thus his many journeys and many epistles or letters.    Paul in the short passage goes on to explain how God is unchanging and never takes back his graces and gifts for he has written of the disobedient Jews- his own people: “Since their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, do you know what their admission will mean ?   Nothing less than the resurrection from the dead!”   The passage ends with those wonderful words from verse 32: “God has imprisoned all men in their disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.”
In those two passages we have seen, once more, something of the generosity and mercy of God, namely God`s openness, inclusion and welcome.   Love that reaches out and is always open to the other, and a love that is always open to “yet one more person being part of the family – and one more and one more without ending” that is part of his Church.
Our Lord shows us God`s nature as inclusive, welcoming, compassionate, forgiving, and flexible to be able to respond to others and their needs.   God`s values are constant, eternal, powerful and yet at the same time, open and responsive and we are called upon to be the same in our relationships with one another in His Name.
There are times when we come across restrictive, “not listening”, unwelcoming and exclusive situations so that they are NOT resonating with the teaching and example of Jesus.   So it is the in obedience and imitating the Lord, that the Church always strives to be open, welcoming, compassionate and inclusive to all as community.
The Gospel story is a wonderful example of the Lord`s love and compassion and the touch of self-righteousness and impatience and lack of tolerance that is shown by the apostles accompanying Jesus to the region of Tyre and Sidon where the encounter with the Canaanite woman takes place.    She is at the end of her tether screaming and shouting, in her anxiety for her possessed daughter, `Sir, Son of David, take pity on me.   My daughter is tormented by a devil.`    Initially he did not answer her but the disciples in their annoyance besought the Lord saying, `Give her what she wants because she is shouting after us.`   It would seem that the woman was aware that in approaching Jesus she was taking a risk and when he does speak it sounds a touch unkind but I think there is both a test of her faith and more than a hint of humour in the way Jesus responds that He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel!    She then came kneeling before the Lord, saying, `Lord, help me.`    Whereupon the Lord retorts, `It is not fair to take the children`s food and throw it to the house-dogs.`   Her response is amazing: `Ah yes, sir;  but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master`s table.`   In this she is showing willing to accept whatever the Lord will offer.    Certainly the woman was showing both faith and hope that the Saviour of the World could and would meet her immediate needs.
Because we know the story we know there is the happy ending as Jesus says, `Woman you have great faith.   Let your wish be granted.` and St. Matthew records that from that moment her daughter was well again.
A RC priest, Fr. Paul W. Kelly wrote some very interesting words:
` I imagine that when the woman responded as she did. Our Lord would have smiled, even thrown his head back and laughed!   Not in a scornful way though but rather in delight, approval and recognition.   SHE GETS IT for she understands what the Lord is offering, even though she is NOT of the same clan.   She understands  what many of the Lord`s own people do not or will not understand.   This humble, even desperate, woman wants to share in any small piece of the blessings that others cannot even see.    His warmth and inclusion are complete.`
He goes on to say that the story and the miraculous healing of the Canaanite woman`s daughter shows that the chosen ones are now anyone and everyone who responds in faith, love and trust to what The Lord is offering.
This blessing is so great that it simply cannot be overstated!   Amen.