Brothers and Sisters,
The woman in this week’s gospel is a pagan from the region of Canaan, a place full of sinful and idolatrous people (Mt 15:21-28). She was seeking a healing miracle not for herself, but for the sake of her beloved daughter.
Jesus does not mind her when she initially calls out to him using the title “Son of David.” From her seeking, we can imagine that she believed in Christ. Upon the insistence of the apostles, Jesus tells her: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” But she does not give up.
Even if pagans like her do not believe in the teachings of Jesus, she persists: “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” As you know, dogs and swine were common expressions among Jews for Gentiles or pagans. It is hard to imagine how she had come to believe in Jesus. Perhaps her initial faith was quite small, but contact with Jesus increased her faith. Her persistence paid off. The woman had what Christ’s heart yearns for which is love, faith, and humility. She knew that he could heal her daughter. She also knew that he would not do it because she deserved it, but simply because Jesus cared. She was not angry with God for sending this trial. She did not come to Jesus angry or demanding. She accepted her trial and recognized that a miracle would be a gift. This enabled her to take the rejection and come right back with another petition to the Lord.
Are we persistent in our prayers to God just like this woman? Our persistent prayer may not necessarily change God, but it will change us. It increases our faith, because we are putting our faith in action. All things are possible if we let God take control and let His will, His plan, materialize in our lives. Love, faith, and humility: these are the ingredients for prayer that moves the heart of God, even a simple prayer such as, “Lord, help me.”
God Bless,
Deacon Howard
