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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
February 18, 2025
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Ordinary Time

For a large part of the liturgical year, we devote ourselves to listening to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects unfolded as we seek God's truth and understanding.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I : Isaiah 56:1, 6-7

Observe what is right and do what is just.

  • The final chapters from the Book of Isaiah proclaim a hopeful message.
  • In today's reading, the prophet declares that God's covenant will be extended to all nations.
  • Everyone who does what is right and just, will be answered by God's righteousness.

Reading II : Romans 11:13-15, 29-32

God's gifts can never be taken back.

  • In the Letter to the Romans, Paul addresses the Gentile Christians and declares that they should not consider themselves better than the Jews.
  • Paul points out that the Gentiles should be grateful to the Jews, whose rejection of Jesus was the catalyst that sent the Good News of the Gospel to the Gentiles so quickly.
  • God, who has been so merciful to the Gentiles, will also be merciful to the children of Abraham, the people of the covenant.

Gospel : Matthew 15:21-28

She insisted that Jesus help her, and he did.

  • The Gospel today presents a story of exclusion that ends with inclusion.
  • In Matthew's Gospel the disciples were frequently referred to as “those of little faith.” The only person praised for having “great faith” in today's Gospel is the Canaanite woman.
  • The woman was not a Jew, but because of her great faith in God's mercy, mercy was granted to her.