Readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 | Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 | Matthew 15:21-28

On Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 – universal and unfathomable mercy

St. Paul, in today’s second reading, continues to reflect on a major question: if Israel has not come to faith in Jesus, then is God’s Word void? Does God abandon the Jewish people because they do not believe in Jesus? Frank Matera comments, “this text is the conclusion of a long and intricate argument that Paul has been developing since the outset of chapter 9.” The conclusion to this argument is our second reading for this Sunday. God does not, will not ever abandon Israel or anyone who does not presently believe.

Matera continues, “Fully convinced that God has reconciled the world to himself through the death and resurrection of his Son, St. Paul urges us to accept the gift of forgiveness and redemption that God freely and graciously offers in Jesus Christ. Consequently, throughout this letter St. Paul reminds us that we are saved by God’s grace rather than by anything we have done. He reminds us that our salvation is a gracious gift from God to which we must respond with a lively and obedient faith that trusts and relies on the goodness and graciousness of God.”

Paul trusts that God’s plans will not go awry, even if it looks to us like the divine mission is being frustrated. No, God does not revoke the promises made to the people of Israel, promises that God extends to all people everywhere.

Earlier in chapter 11, in verse 15, Paul writes, “For if their [Israel’s] rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” God allows Israel’s unbelief in Jesus to bring Gentiles to salvation and yet God will also save Israel – the part that does not believe. Their rejection of Jesus has meant salvation for all and so their possible acceptance would mean eternal life.

Then, in verse 22, Paul writes, “See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God’s kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.” Those who believe experience God’s incomprehensible kindness, while for those who do not believe, there is an absence of God’s grace experienced as severity – God lets those who choose unbelief experience severity.

The severity is a felt absence and meaninglessness in life without God. We choose this severity when we choose other gods to worship, idols. But this severity is also a grace because it makes us feel a need for God deep down in our souls. God works to attract us to open up in faith to the divine mercy as we suffer this severity.

God uses anything and everything to bring us to the self-surrender of faith.

Speaking to Gentile Christians, St. Paul attests, “by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all” (11:31). This is a mysterious line. By showing mercy to the Gentiles, God intends to attract the Jewish people to the deluge of divine mercy. Apparently, God knows mercy shown to some opens others’ hearts to the divine mercy. Mercy attracts hearts hungry for infinite love.

The medieval English mystic Julian of Norwich expands on the infinite beauty of divine love in her book, The Showings: “In endless love we are held and made whole. In endless love we are led and protected and will never be lost. God wants us to know that the soul is a life unto itself, one that will endure without end, praising and blessing and loving him in paradise. And just as our existence has no limits, so too are we boundlessly cherished in God, a hidden treasure, whom he sees and knows and loves without beginning or end.”

We are always already loved by and one with God. No one will be lost. St. Paul vigorously agrees with Julian here! Each person is cherished by God, so how would God ever let anyone fall outside the love and goodness that is the Trinity?

St. Paul’s whole letter to the Romans sings of God’s mercy and love. His doctrine of justification by faith depends on God’s mercy to us revealed in the cross. Indeed, everything depends on God’s mercy. The final word on everyone’s life will be the unfathomable mercy of God.