“For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Isaiah 56:7).  

The major theme for this 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on the universal salvation of God for all humanity that admits no exclusiveness. The covenant relationship offered by God to His people has no limitations regarding race, sex, nationality, or ethnicity… etc. The expansive and universal nature of the “Kingdom of God” is for all who believe in Jesus Christ and fulfill God’s will.

Although initially God set the Hebrew people apart as His chosen race, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, He included all nations in His plan for salvation and blessed all families of the earth in Abraham. Unfortunately, because of the Israelites singularly and special role as God’s chosen people in the saga of salvation, the Jewish people were susceptible to an “us” versus “them” mentality, focusing more on the differences rather than the commonality they shared with other people.

Similarly, the early Christians were also prone to elitism, thinking of themselves as superior to the rest of humanity, which had not yet come to accept Christ’s teachings. This mentality of superiority and vainglory prompted the Bible to explain the universal calling of all human beings to salvation under Christ.  

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to appreciate the universal salvation of God for all humanity, to follow Jesus Christ more closely, to repent our sins, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure, and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.  

How can we help each other put down our walls of pride, intolerance, prejudice, and separation from God and one another, and share in the universality of God’s salvation, which extends beyond the boundaries of race and nationalities to the hearts of all who believe?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.