Fr. Foeckler’s Lecture Note- Aug 18th, 2026

Fr. Foeckler recommends to read Bishop Baron’s site, and Brent Pitre’s commentary.

Gospel of the Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Matthew 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.

Jesus is gone north, out of Israel, to the area of pagan, Tyre and Sidon. This woman, a descendent of Canaanites, who occupied the promised land. They were evil people. The even sacrifices their children for their gods. As a result, the Canaanites are enemies for Israelites. This woman, not personally, but of her background, become an enemy. But she recognized Jesus as the Lord. Being possessed in pagan country is very common. This woman’s daughter is possessed. Something very common in those days.

There is not very much a remedy for possession. The woman knows there is only one resource for possession, Jesus. Woman comes, praised the Lord, homages the Lord. Jesus was ignoring her in the beginning. She makes an appeal, masterpiece of homage, humility, saying even the dogs eat scraps that falls from the table of their masters.

The lesson here is how to keep praying.

Faith. How many times you can ask for God’s answer.
Jesus went to Jews first to say them to pray. He wanted to give them the first fruits. God can do things, when He wants to.

Persistence. She still doesn’t give up. She acknowledge that she’s not a children of Israel, she is the “dog” in Jesus’ fable. So humbles herself, which wins Jesus’ heart. Bartolomeo was a blind beggar. When he recognized Jesus is out there, he started shouting, even when others around him discouraged him. Jesus noticed him and called him. Jesus was testing the Canaanites woman’s faith in His goodness.
“Mercy wouldn’t be mercy if it wasn’t undeserved.” Related to a story of a mother of a soldier under Napoleon.

We do have to ask.

3. Being humble. Humility is slippery virtue. You can be proud of being humble. Think about Mary. She was obedient of God’s will. We have to submit our will to God’s will. Being grateful what you receive from God.

Humility: obedience+ service + gratitude in a very special way.

Humility is recognizing who we are, and who God is. To ask God is an act of humility.