Lectionary 20, Year A

¹⁰ He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. ¹¹ That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” ¹² Then the disciples came, and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” ¹³ But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. ¹⁴ Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.” ¹⁵ Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.” ¹⁶ So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand? ¹⁷ Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. ²⁰ These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.” ²¹ Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!” ²³ But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.” ²⁴ But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵ But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶ But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷ But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸ Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.