Saint Benard of Clairvaux
Salvation is for All
This Sunday's readings teach us that salvation is not for a specific group of people but for all those who believe in God and follow his commands. 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 from long ago (which Jesus clearly states it in the gospel that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel), the Gentiles are enjoying it. Finally in the Gospel, a gentile woman’s daughter is healed because the woman showed great faith in Jesus. Salvation is therefore for those who show great faith in the Saviour Jesus Christ; it doesn't matter the colour of your skin, or the nationality, or the race or status quo but what matters is the response to God's revelation and his son through faith that saves. Are you among those privileged to receive that salvation and are you ready to receive it?
Our response through faith to Jesus and his commandments must be reinforced many other virtues of which some we see from the Gentile Canaanite woman in today's gospel. This woman came to Jesus and put Jesus on the spot by pleading for his help because her daughter was tormented by the demon. At first Jesus seemed to pay no attention to her, and this made his disciples feel embarrassed and wanted to send her off. Jesus does this to test the woman to awaken faith in her. The woman persisted in prayer with faith and humility until Jesus granted her request. What can we learn from this woman as we respond in faith to our Saviour Jesus Christ.
First, she acknowledges Who Jesus is—the Son of David. This is a manifestation of her faith and a clear contrast to the lack of faith Jesus had experienced with many of the Jews whom he had come to save. Our first step to salvation journey is first of all to recognise Jesus as a Son of God who became man from the line of David to save us. And then manifest our faith in Him as the true and only Saviour. Without these, salvation is slowly evaporating from our hands as it did to the Jews of Jesus' time.
Second, her request is expressed in straightforward and simple language, “Have pity on me!” And “Lord, help me.” We must know that as a way of growing and strengthening our faith in Jesus we must stay in constant communication with him lest our relationship with him ends, just like when our human relationships do not last when communication stops. The woman gives us a better way to pray: straightforward, precise and clear. It is not our many words that make God answer our prayers, because the God knows already what we need, but the faith with which we pray (Mt 6:7).
Third, her prayer is persistent. Jesus allows her to manifest her persistence by first being silent to her request and then telling her “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” Jesus obviously does not say this to be rude, but to invite her to manifest her faith in a persistent way. And that she does. This woman teaches us to be persistent in prayer especially when we feel like God is sleeping or is not paying attention to us. Even sometimes, when we think that we are bothering God especially when asking for forgiveness for the same sin we do again and again, we must always remember that to think that we are “bothering” God when we ask him for things is to pray to a distant and unfamiliar God. Did not Christ guarantee us that if we asked the Father (“Abba,” “Daddy”) for anything in his name, it would be granted? The Canaanite woman’s loud pleas were not bothering Christ in the least but Jesus' way of making her manifest her faith an invitation for us too.
Finally, her prayer is one of deep humility. She responds, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” She was begging for the “scraps” of Jesus’ mercy, and she received His mercy in abundance. An effective prayer is a humble prayer. We are super-sensitive when we are hurt. This Canaanite woman was already very distressed by the condition of her daughter and the scolding of the disciples. Had she not had such simple faith and hope, Christ’s words to her could have been enough to send her “over the top.” When we are hurt, we easily jump to conclusions and become offended. Once our pride is injured, we are often blind to the good someone wishes us or performs for us. How many souls have spent long years away from Christ because they have clung to past hurts and their pride and been blinded to God’s often mysterious way of dealing with us?
Reflect today upon God's condition of saving us, that is, responding to his call with faith and love. Reflect also upon the shining example of the Gentile Canaanite woman in today's gospel. In the end, Jesus cried out, “O woman, great is your faith!” and this is when she attained salvation not only for her soul but also for her daughter. But that did not come until she wholeheartedly expressed her faith with humility and persistence. How far are we from reaching the example of this woman?
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, you wish that everyone should be saved by coming to believe in you and your mercy. Set ablaze our hearts with the virtue of faith and prayer that we may always listen to what you command us, practice them and at the end attain eternal salvation in your heavenly kingdom. Amen
Blessed Sunday
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