A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah Is 56:1, 6-7
Thus says the LORD:
Observe what is right, do what is just;
for my salvation is about to come,
my justice, about to be revealed.
The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
ministering to him,
loving the name of the LORD,
and becoming his servants—
all who keep the sabbath free from profanation
and hold to my covenant,
them I will bring to my holy mountain
and make joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be acceptable on my altar,
for my house shall be called
a house of prayer for all peoples.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
Second Reading
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans Rom 11:13-15, 29-32
Brothers and sisters:
I am speaking to you Gentiles.
Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles,
I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous
and thus save some of them.
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world,
what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Just as you once disobeyed God
but have now received mercy because of their disobedience,
so they have now disobeyed in order that,
by virtue of the mercy shown to you,
they too may now receive mercy.
For God delivered all to disobedience,
that he might have mercy upon all.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Mt 4:23
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia
Gospel
P: The Lord be with you.
P: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Mt 15:21-28
At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus’ disciples came and asked him,
“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply,
“It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Let us join in the priestly prayer of Jesus that all may be one in the household of faith.
Our prayer response today is, “Savior of all, hear us!”
- For the church as it undertakes Christ’s ministry of reconciliation; may we use our spiritual gifts to create inclusive communities of love and care. We pray: “Savior of all, hear us!”
- For greater rejoicing in God’s unlimited mercy; may the conversion of others unite us in common praise of God’s holy name. We pray: “Savior of all, hear us!”
- For those ordained for service to the church; may the ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons foster greater unity among God’s people. We pray: “Savior of all, hear us!”
- For non-Christians who seek God’s healing love through the church’s works of mercy; may race or creed not hinder Christians from responding with compassion to the cries of the poor. We pray: “Savior of all, hear us!”
Loving God, in faith we call out for your saving power so beautifully revealed in Christ. May our prayers be pleasing in your sight and be received in the name of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
