Isaiah 56: 1,6-7,
Ps 67:2-3.5.6.8 (Watch it here),
Romans 11:13-15.29-32,
Matthew 15:21-28)_ Full Readings
Persistence in prayer
Today's Gospel presents to us the discussion between Jesus and the Canaanite woman who was begging Jesus to have mercy on her and heal her daughter who was tormented by the devil. Jesus' reply to this woman may be taken in a literary sense to be too harsh but it was to test her faith. Jesus said that he came only for the people of Israel not strangers and that you cannot give baby's food to the dogs. However the woman could not give up though she was called a dog and replied saying, even dogs eat the scraps from the master's table and at this Jesus saw the woman's faith and healed her daughter.
Brethren, what a great faith this woman had! What persistence was it! Some of us if called a dog we would not even want to see Jesus again but the woman knew what Jesus would do and persisted until her daughter was healed. The Jews used to call the Gentiles dogs referring to them as less valuable and respected for they were not aiming the chosen people. This however did not at all piss the Canaanite woman.
Brethren, how long do you persist in prayer? Do you pray until something happens? This woman teaches us persistence and patience in prayer. Sometimes God delays to answer our prayer not that He doesn't want to give us what we ask but to test our patience and perseverance in asking and praying to him. Though He might not give us exactly what we ask, at the end, with our persistence in faith, He will give us what is best for us, for others and which gives Him glory. So don't be afraid but stand firm in faith and God will answer us.
Doesn’t it rather feel sometimes like God answers our prayers for help not with the solution we want, but with more trials? Jesus’ actions were for purifying this woman’s faith, but also give her the opportunity to manifest her faith for all to see. In the end, Jesus cries out, “O woman, great is your faith!” God knows much better than we do what we need—perhaps this woman needed a little humility, maybe she had a prejudice against Jews that was impeding her faith, or maybe Jesus just wanted to bring her to even greater heights of faith by his actions. Do I see God’s hand in everything? Do I persevere in prayer even when it seems like nothing is happening?
This Canaanite woman also teaches us great humility in prayer. Though she was regarded as a dog, she responded in humility, and stayed focused on what she was asking. In fact Jesus didn't mean to regard her as a dog but to test her humility, patience and faith. She passed the test and that's why at last Jesus says, "woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted." Therefore brethren, in standing firm and persevering in faith, we need to be guided by humility as well.
Today's readings teach us that salvation is not for a specific group of people for all those who believe in God and follow his commands. That is why we see God in the first reading saying that he will bring all those who trust in him to his holy mountain and they will delight in his house of prayer. This is also seen in the second reading where Paul says that because the Jews refused the salvation which was prepared for them, the Gentiles are enjoying it. Finally in the Gospel, a gentile woman’s daughter is healed because the woman showed great faith in Jesus. Are you among those privileged to receive that salvation and are you ready to receive it?
Reflect today on how persistent you are in prayer and faith. Do you wait for God to respond to you or you automatically seek others ways to get what you wanted? Is your prayer accompanied with humility, for God listens to the humble and contrite heart? Pray for the gift of patience and humility today.
Let us pray
By your grace, help me always not to be afraid but only stand firm in faith so that at the opportune time, I'll get what you have prepared for me my God. Amen
Be blessed
God help me to grow in faith
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