Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week Ordinary Time

Lectio

    Matthew 15:21–28

Meditatio

“Have pity on me, Lord … help me.”

    Jesus and his disciples have entered a non-Jewish territory and a Canaanite woman is following him, crying out for help. But Jesus doesn’t seem to notice. His disciples are annoyed because she keeps yelling after them and Jesus doesn’t seem to care. They ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus tells the disciples that he has to focus on the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” This Canaanite woman exemplifies the virtue of fortitude. This mother pleads, begs, and insists that Jesus help her daughter. Jesus’ response to her is shocking! “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” My first reaction would be to run away sobbing, but this woman does not give up. She reminds me of Abraham bargaining with the Lord over the destruction of Sodom. Abraham walks along and tries to convince the Lord to spare the city for the sake of the innocent (see Gn 18:16–33).

    The Canaanite woman refuses to back down until she receives a hearing. She acknowledges her need for Jesus. Although she tells Jesus about her daughter, she pleads mercy for herself. She is distraught by her daughter’s illness and her own inability to help her. Her conversation with Jesus makes it seem as if he doesn’t want to help her. I don’t think Jesus would refuse anyone. Rather, I think that Jesus, knowing the desire of her heart, uses this situation to teach us a lesson. We may be tempted to feel helpless when facing a personal challenge or the illness of a loved one. We may feel we cannot ask for the Lord’s help. May the example of the unnamed Canaanite woman give us the courage to hold on to hope. Let us call out to Jesus for his mercy and grace, knowing he will surely come to our aid.

Oratio

    Lord, have mercy on me. Sometimes I feel so helpless in the situations that arise in my life. I am easily overwhelmed by the struggles and illnesses of my family and friends. May your living word give me the faith I need to believe in your love, to trust in your protection, and to hold on to hope.

Contemplatio

    Lord, increase my faith.

__

ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 18–34: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)