WEDNESDAY OF THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 7, 2024

The Woman of Canaan at the Feet of Christ,

Painted by Jean-Germain Drouais (1763-1788),

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

MT 15:21-28

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon ”But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us. ”He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ”But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply ,“It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs. ”She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters. ”Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour.

REFLECTION

 “Lord, help me.”

A month ago at our PAPA FACE ZBS (Bible study via zoom) we discussed that faith, trust and hope were very important in praying in embracing our trials and tribulations according to God's Holy Will. Doubts and fears at times hold us back in truly getting to know Jesus, our Savior. Sometimes we do not know how to pray as we ought, or we do not have a personal relationship with the living and true God, or we have unreconciled sin, or we are prideful, envious and lack humility.

The Catechism 2559 states that "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." Humility is the foundation of prayer and man is a beggar before God.

In today's Gospel, we are introduced to a non Jew, a Canaanite woman, who is a model for effective prayer.

First, she comes before Jesus in faith. "Have pity on me, Lord."

She trusts in the divine authority of Jesus, referring to Him as Lord three times. Are our praises to God just words used as introduction to our petitionary needs or do we truly believe Jesus is the incarnate God?

Secondly, she perseveres in asking for Jesus' help. She is tenacious in spite of the silence, in spite of the words spoken to her. Any one else would have walked away angry or upset. How many of us take offense at God when a loved one dies inspite of many prayers or of the lack of empathy and concern by the priest? Many walk away, or go to a different religion.

Thirdly, she has no pride but presents herself in true humility. The comments, the comparing her to a house pet don't deter her. Her love for her daughter, gives her the resilience needed to persevere in humility.

Answered prayer whether it is what we thought we needed and wanted is always given to us by God who loves us and knows what virtue we need to grow in and what is the best for us. If we approach God with faith and trust, perseverance and humility, we, too can hope that we hear, " O woman (man), great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you wish."

God Bless You

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