We now reach a high point in Matthew’s narrative. More than any of the other gospels, his is a Gospel of the Church. (Mark emphasizes discipleship; Luke the communication of God’s love and compassion; John unity with God through Jesus.)

Matthew chapter 16 can be divided into five parts:
1. The Pharisees demand a sign and Jesus responds (verses 1-4)
2. Jesus' warning to avoid the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees (verses 5-12)
3. Peter's profession of the Christ and the Son of God founds His Church (verses 13-20)
4. The first prediction of the Passion (verses 21-23)
5. Jesus states the conditions of discipleship (verses 24-28)

We must have faith in God’s goodness against all indications to the contrary

Gospel: Matthew 15: 21–28
Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.

In Matthew 15 we read that after Jesus had yet another “run in” with the Pharisees who had come from Jerusalem to scrutinize His actions and criticize His failure to follow the ceremonial traditions of the elders, He and His disciples withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon, two Mediterranean seaside villages northwest of the Sea of Galilee.

Today’s gospel is strange, don’t you think? It is embarrassing too, since it seems to depict Jesus in an unflattering light.