Chess, Not Checkers

Reflection for August 16, 2026 – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is impressed by the faith and persistence of a Canaanite woman whose daughter is possessed by a demon. Find the daily readings here.

There’s a saying that good leaders have to play chess, not checkers.

It will surprise no one who knows me well that I am terrible at chess. It’s not so much a lack of skill (although that’s part of it) as a lack of effort. I find chess exhausting. To succeed at this complex game of strategy, you have to see not just the board in front of you, but the person in front of you — and more than that, you have to consider not just what is, but what could be.

I prefer checkers.

When I read a Gospel passage like today’s, I think of what Jesus would be like as a chess player. It’s so easy to see this account of the Canaanite woman and her tenacity and take it at face value, as a reminder to pray without ceasing, to never stop asking God for what we need. And certainly, it is that.

But it’s not only that.

We see a woman begging God for help, and we see God refuse — at first. We see her persist, and we see him capitulate. At least, that’s what it looks like to us.

What does it look like to Jesus?

Jesus sees this woman’s face and hears her words, just as his disciples do — but he also sees her heart. He sees her whole life. He sees every moment that leads up to this one. He sees her belief, but he also sees her unbelief. He sees her wounds. He sees her daughter.

He sees the game board not just for what it is, but for what it could be.

©LPi