Mass Reading and Reflection for Sunday August 16th 2026

First Reading: (Isaiah 56:1, 6–7)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 67)

R. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

Second Reading: (Romans 11:13–15, 29–32)

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Matthew 15:21–28)

Reflection: 

Persistence often pays!

From the Gospel the Canaanite woman was a pagan, yet she came to Jesus seeking help for her daughter.

The disciples wanted her sent away because she was crying after them.

But Jesus did not allow human prejudice to have the final word.

Her faith was ultimately recognized by Jesus:

“O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.”

And her daughter was healed instantly.

Gentiles too are children of God.

Jesus came for all, Jews as well as Greeks.

Surprisingly, some of those who demonstrated the greatest faith were Gentiles who were almost pushed away by the Jews.

The first reading makes this universal invitation clear.

Isaiah speaks of foreigners who adhere to the Lord, serve him, love his name, observe the Sabbath and hold fast to his covenant.

God says:

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

They too are children of God, and salvation is open to them.

This is the universal saving will of God: that all people may be saved.

God reaches out even to those who may seem distant from him so that they too may receive salvation.

In the second reading, Saint Paul calls himself an apostle to the Gentiles.

He reaches out to them so that all might be saved.

The responsorial psalm gives us the same universal vision:

“Let the peoples praise you, O God. Let all the peoples praise you.”

And:

“Let all nations learn your salvation.”

The question for each of us is therefore:

What do we do to reach out to everyone, even those who do not worship with us?

How universal are we?

How Catholic are we?

Let us pray that missionaries may continue to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth according to Christ's command:

“Go and make disciples of all nations.”

Let leaders work for the common good of all, not merely for a select few, remembering that all are citizens of the same country.

For we are all sons and daughters of the same heavenly Father.

And God is Father of us all.

That is why, at every Holy Mass, we address him as:

“Our Father,”

not merely “my Father.”

He is Father of us all.

Let us pray for the grace to live together, accepting one another as brothers and sisters of the same heavenly Father. 

Amen