The leper is brought back to life by being able to return to the life of the community and to the practice of his ancestral faith.

If we take to heart the Christmas and Epiphany revelations that Chris is truly present among us, then we also have to recognize that “ordinariness” is no longer a possibility for us.

While the love of God always comes first, our response to that love should take us outside of ourselves, as we are asked to share with others the love and compassion that we ourselves have received from God.

It isn’t enough to simply talk about reconciliation and healing, we must do the hard work of forgiving, which, for disciples of Jesus, is just one aspect of taking up one’s cross and imitating Jesus himself.

The encounter with Jesus and the Canaanite woman marks pivotal moment in the story of our salvation, in large part because it opened up a space for us within the community of believers. 

The Kingdom is a reality—a gift—that is revealed to those who are attentive and searching.

We can never stop listening or learning. And so, in a sense, in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is asking us, “How well are you listening?” and “Who are you listening to?”

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity invites us to consider that all of our relationships are reflections of that unique and dynamic communion that exists within God.

The invitation for us this Sunday is to reflect on how we understand the Holy Spirit and to open our minds and hearts to the Spirit’s transforming love.

Jesus offered his followers, just as he offers each of us, the possibility of a new and life-changing relationship with God and each other within the communion of the Church.