8 February, 2024 | Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

 Reading : 1 Kgs 11:4-13

Gospel Mk 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre.

He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it,

but he could not escape notice.

Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.

She came and fell at his feet.

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth,

and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.

He said to her, “Let the children be fed first.

For it is not right to take the food of the children

and throw it to the dogs.”

She replied and said to him,

“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”

Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go.

The demon has gone out of your daughter.”

When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed

and the demon gone.

Reflection:

The very fact that Jesus reached out to the Gentile woman shows that Jesus came especially for the broken, the sick, the outcaste, the sinner, and that God's love and mercy knows no bounds. Jesus admired the woman's persistence in looking for a blessing for her daughter.

The story of this woman challenges us against setting limits on those who can be called children of God. Through His encounter with the Syrophoenician woman, Jesus moves from an exclusively Jewish ministry to one that is inclusive of believing Gentiles. The Gospel invites us to reflect how do we include those who stand outside of our community, those who feel unwelcome or marginalised.

 Activity:

Today recall to mind when you were felt like the Syrophoenician woman, and resolve to be persistent in prayers. Also recall when you treated someone one, and ask Jesus’ pardon for the same and strive towards welcoming the person and others to your community or group.