20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 16, 2026)

In today’s poignant Gospel, the Syrophoenician woman whose young daughter was possessed by an “unclean spirit”, throws herself down at Jesus’ feet in the posture of a humble supplicant and begs for healing and exorcism for her beloved daughter.The first reading tells us that God has filled His children with good hope. Let us pray that our hearts will be filled with a renewed hope for an end to abortion and euthanasia in Canada.
Daring is not imprudence or unreflective bravado or simple chutzpah. Daring is fortitude, a cardinal virtue, and a requirement of the soul’s life.
Our Lord’s metaphorical response may seem brutally harsh and insensitive, but He merely reflected the genuine tradition in which Israel enjoyed priority.
Yet the Canaanite woman cannot wait; her need is urgent and she responds with equal alacrity, engaging Jesus in a verbal repartee. What daring! What tenacity! What calmness!
God rewards daring feats of love. Impressed with her wisdom and tenacity, Jesus grants her wish. What about us? Is our faith operative enough? Do we in the Pro-Life movement have a lofty vision?

That we may do more to welcome, cherish, and protect the gift of life which, like all God’s gifts, is irrevocable, we pray to the Lord ...