Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

First Reading

Isaiah 56:1,6-7

The Lord reveals his salvation to all.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8

All the nations will praise God.

Second Reading

Romans 11:13-15,29-32

God’s favor to Israel is irrevocable.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus heals the daughter of the Canaanite woman because of her great faith.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today we move ahead in our reading of Matthew’s Gospel. Last week we read about Jesus walking on the water and the disciples’ confession of faith that Jesus is the Son of God. If we were reading Matthew’s entire Gospel, we would have read about Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees about Jewish purity laws. Jesus argues that it is not what goes into us that makes us unclean; he is referring to the strict Jewish dietary rules. Instead our words and our actions—what comes out of us—make us unclean because they emerge from a heart that is unclean.

Knowing about Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees helps us to understand today’s Gospel. In fact the story heightens the surprise and shock we feel as we hear Jesus’ exchange with the Canaanite woman. The woman, who is not Jewish, approaches Jesus, requesting that he heal her demon-possessed daughter. At first Jesus ignores her; he says nothing. The disciples ask Jesus to send her away, and Jesus agrees, remarking that he was sent to minister to the Jews alone.

The woman persists, paying homage to Jesus, and yet Jesus denies her request again. He even insults her, using a Jewish word of derision for Gentiles, “dog.” But the woman cleverly turns Jesus’ insult into an affirmation of faith. Only then does Jesus grant her request and heal her daughter.

Jesus’ unresponsiveness to this woman may strike us as uncharacteristic or shocking. Yet in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ ministry is directed primarily to the people of Israel. At only a very few points, such as the one found in today’s Gospel, do we find Jesus anticipating the later Christian ministry to the rest of the world.

Behind Matthew’s text we can hear this early Christian community’s struggle to understand how God’s selection of Israel is consistent with two events: Israel’s rejection of Jesus and the Gentiles’ acceptance of Jesus. Just as Jesus was surprised by the faith expressed by the Canaanite woman, so too the first Christians were surprised that the Gentiles would receive the salvation God offered through Christ. In today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, we hear the apostle Paul considering this same concern.

The faith that the Canaanite woman expresses is an affirmation of and confidence in God’s abundant mercy. Yes, salvation comes through Israel, but it overflows for the benefit of all.

Saint John Eudes Feast Day

In celebration of the feast day of St. John Eudes, founder of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudist Fathers), we will have a special Mass on Saturday August 19 at 8:00 am. This will be followed by breakfast on the church patio. 

Fr. Ron and the other Eudist priests invite you to join them as they celebrate the feast of their founder.

J.S. Bach – Little Prelude

This piece is known as Johann Sebastian Bach’s Little Prelude in D Minor, and for good reason: it takes barely a minute to play. The organist is Jonathan Scott. 

Parish Blood Drive

We are pleased to hold another Parish Blood Drive on Sunday, August 20. It is so important that we give blood (if possible) to help those who are in need of lifesaving procedures.

Please read the attached flyer for information about how to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Save the date. Save a life.

Ruah Adonai to Resume Bible Study on October 4

Registration weekend for Ruah Adonai - Breath of God Bible Study is August 26 and 27.  

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass (5 sessions) “The Mass is nothing short of amazing. Through it, we encounter God in the most intimate way possible as we hear him speak to us in the Liturgy of the Word and as we receive him Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist.” Watch a video clip here 

Prophets: Messengers of God's Mercy (10 sessions) “God sent prophets at critical times to call the people back to their covenant relationship. Prophets proclaimed the consequences of continued sin, called people to repentance, and declared God’s faithful love. They also spoke of the future to shed light on current events and to reveal God’s plans and purposes.” Watch a video clip here. 

Ruah Adonai - Breath of God Bible Study is open to men and women. No previous bible study experience needed. Our mission is to know, to love and to serve God. We meet Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 10 am in the Parish Hall to view an engaging video presentation followed by a lively group discussion and fellowship. For more information contact Kelly Le Berthon at [email protected]

Praise and Worship Night

DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST FOR SUNDAY, THE PATIO DINNER AND PRAISE & WORSHIP WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL A LATER DATE.

Soup Suppers Update

THERE WILL BE NO SOUP SUPPERS ON AUGUST 24 AND 31.

SOUP RETURNS ON SEPTEMBER 7.

Confirmation Meeting – Reunion por Confirmacion

Orientation for Confirmation Year Two Candidates and their parents of our English speaking families will be Sunday, Aug. 27 in the parish hall from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. This is a mandatory meeting for candidates and parents. If you have a conflict, please contact the youth office.



La orientación para los candidatos del segundo año de confirmación y los padres de nuestras familias de habla hispana será el domingo 27 de agosto en el salón parroquial de 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Esta es una reunión obligatoria para candidatos y sus padres. Si tienes algún conflicto, ponte en contacto con la oficina de jóvenes.

Register online by using the link below.

Religious Education Preschool to 8th Grade

Registration Information for the 2023-2024 School Year

We are here to support parents in forming their children in the Catholic Faith and engage in our parish community where we worship and grow together in faith. We offer weekly classes for preschool through 8th grade and preparation for the sacraments for children in grades 1 through 8.

You can learn more about our program by clicking on the links for: 

• Early Faith Formation for children age 3 1/2 and Kindergarten 

• Preparation for the Sacraments for students in grade 1-8

• Continuing Faith Formation for students in grade 3 – 8 that have already received First Holy Communion. 

The online registration is open for all our classes from Preschool through 8th grade. Visit our website: www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com Click on Religious Education and then Preschool – 8th grade. General information and the online form are at the side bar.

Here is the link to the online registration form: https://www.osvhub.com/st-patrick-catholic-community-1/forms/english-religious-education-1

Contact the Office for Religious Education at [email protected] or 760-729-8442  with questions about faith formation or sacramental preparation.  

Blessings,

Margit Dornisch,

Religious Education and Family Ministry 

Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,

“Ella se acercó entonces a Jesús y postrada ante él, le dijo, “¡Señor, ayúdame!” ... Entonces Jesús le respondió, “Mujer, ¡Qué grande es tu fe! Que se cumpla lo que deseas”. Y en aquel mismo instante quedó curada su hija. (Mateo 15: 21-28). En este XX Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, leemos de una mujer cananea que sale a buscar y a rogar a Jesús que cure a su hija que está atormentada por un demonio. ¿Cuál mamá no hace hasta la imposible para que sus hijos e hijas se alivien de cualquier enfermedad? Esta mamá cananea no era diferente a las mamás que nos rodean ahora. Pero tenía unos obstáculos. Primero, esta mujer era cananea, con costumbres y tradiciones diferentes a los judíos. Segundo, como era cananea era vista como una persona impura y los judíos evitaban contacto con estas personas por no contagiarse de sus impurezas. Pero a esta mujer no le interesa. Aunque no era judía y vivía con otras tradiciones no de buena vista a los judíos, ella sabía que Jesús podía a sanar a su hija. Y por su confianza en Jesús y su insistencia a que cure a su hija, Jesús escucha su clamor, su oración, y su hija es curada. Jesús ve la fe de esta mujer cananea, no ve si es judía o no. Y creo que esta semana deberíamos meditar sobre este Jesús que quiere sanar nuestras enfermedades. Las enfermedades que se ven y no ven, esas que están enraizadas en nuestro corazón, como la enfermedad del egoísmo, autosuficiencia, envidia, narcisismo, y otras actitudes que destruyen a nosotros mismos y a las personas de nuestro alrededor. Acerquémonos a Jesús y pidámosle con confianza como la mujer cananea, que Jesús quiere curarnos y sanarnos.

Detente

Hablemos de La Cananea



3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866