Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Mojor in Rome 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Jeremaiah 31:1-7

  Yahweh declares that when that time comes

he will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be his people. Thus says Yahweh: The people who survived the sword have found grace in the desert. As Israel was seeking for his rest Yahweh appeared from afar saying, I have loved you with a love everlasting, so I have kept for you my mercy.

I will restore you again, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin Israel! You will take up your tambourines and go out dancing joyfully. You will plant vineyards again on the hills of Samaria, and the farmers who plant them will enjoy their fruit.

 There shall be a day when watchmen will call out on the hills of Ephraim, “Come, let us go to Zion, to Yahweh our God!”  For Yahweh says this: Shout with joy for Jacob;

rejoice for the greatest of nations. Proclaim your praise and say:“Yahweh has saved his people, the remnant of Israel!”

 

Jer 31:10, 11-12ab, 13

The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 15:21-28

 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Now a Canaanite woman came from those borders and began to cry out, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not answer her, not even a word.

So his dis­ciples approached him and said, “Send her away: see how she is shouting after us.” Then Jesus said to her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.” 

 But the woman was already kneeling before Jesus and said, “Sir, help me!” Jesus answered, “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs.” The woman replied, “It is true, sir, but even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.”

Then Jesus said, “Woman, how great is your faith! Let it be as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Our age glorifies imperfection over worthiness. Many young people are proud of being misfits and wayward than being capable of a well-directed life. Some find joy bragging about their sinfulness than their inherent goodness.

Holiness has become a label many are ashamed of. The Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel, however, believes otherwise. She insists she deserves to be amongst God’s children even if her circumstance denies it.

She believes God cannot count her our even if she gets the littlest of shares. The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major invites everyone to assert his or her belongingness to God’s family and assembly.

There are no misfits or unworthy to dwell under His roof. Accordingly, Mary the mother of God, crosses borders to welcome and embrace people from different situations in life. We insist we are God’s children . We belong to Him.