Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 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.

How often do you cry out to God asking him to have pity on you? Do you ever feel that God ignores you when you truly need his help? You cry out “Have mercy on me O Lord” and he does not reply. In today’s Gospel reading, a gentile woman cries out to Jesus to save her daughter from a demonic spirit. At first Jesus appears to ignore her cries for help. However, he is putting her faith to the test. He tells her that he is only there to save the Jews.  The woman stands strong in her faith and replies to him again that even the gentiles deserve his Grace. Jesus replies, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish” and her daughter was healed. When we cry out, “My God, My God,” he is listening to us. The question is, are we truly faithful in our request. The woman was a Gentile woman and not part of the “house of Israel.” Therefore, she was not one of God’s chosen people.  The gentiles were often referred to as dogs, a term of dishonor and disgrace.  A group the Jews did not think were deserving of God’s love.  In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus reaches out to this woman.  He challenges her to have faith in herself.  How often to do we think we are not deserving of God’s grace and love.  No one is denied help from the Lord; however, he calls for us to be faithful in our desire for his love. Jesus ends up praising this woman for her faith and her prayers are answered. We too must exhibit unconditional faith in God. We must seek the Lord with a deep and sincere faith. No matter how dishonored or disgraced we feel, God always loves us.  There is not conditions put on us to be deserving of his love. 

A Simple Prayer

My God, My God, I cry out to you.

You are my Savior and my Lord.

May I trust you always and pursue your love.

May I never stray or weaken in my faith.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon