9 August, 2023 | Wednesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

 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.

Reflections:

It seems surprising that Jesus insults the Canaanite woman on making a request desperately to heal her daughter. But the faith of the Canaanite woman is commendable. In the presence of Jesus a Jew, the woman is fearless, filled with hope and has strong determination. The struggles and problems of life sometimes put us to the test and pull us down. Often we are blinded with fear and get discouraged, we easily to give up and at times blame ourselves,  others and even God. We need to put our trust in Jesus. Jesus will never fail us. Failure does not imply Jesus has left us, but that there is reason for it at the moment.

Activity: 

In prayer surrender your problem to God.