Joy at the Crossroads. August 16, 2026

In today’s Gospel, our Lord Jesus moved beyond His ministry initially among the Jews now to the Gentile woman of Canaan. The miracle greater than the healing of her daughter was her great faith in Jesus addressing Him, saying, “Lord, help me” (Matthew 15:25). Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord said He would bring “foreigners” to His “house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:6–7). Here He gives “many blessings even though we are undeserving” (Prayer of the Day). The early church learned how the Gentiles are grafted into Israel, making the Christian Church the fulfillment of the true Israel, God’s people! The outreach of the Gospel of Christ continues through His church, calling all people “that He may have mercy on all” (Romans 11:32). Because of God’s effective call, you can have steadfast confidence in His loving kindness and mercy.