Homily
for August 9, 2017
In this
life, no one has it all. We all have our fair share of problems, issues, fears
and troubles but our happiness depends on our focus. If we focus only on our
problems and take our gaze away from God, we become like the Israelites in
today’s first reading. We end of crying out our brains for nothing.
Dear
friends, like the irritating cry of little children, there are times that our tears
are plainly irritating to God. Irritating, not because God is not moved by tears
but because in certain situations, God has already granted us the victory.
Twelve men
were sent to spy the Promised Land, only two; Caleb and Joshua could see that
their cup was half-FULL. They acknowledged their difficulty but they also saw
potentials, they wanted the people to move in at once to conquer the land.
However
the other ten, considered their cup as half-EMPTY. They acknowledged the good
things in the land but were overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. They came back
with a very bad report.
Sadly, it
was two against ten. It shouldn’t surprise us that there are more faithless
people in the world than those who truly believe in God. it shouldn’t surprise
us that there are more negative minded people; more people who prefer to stay
up all night worrying; more people who believe that life is unfair and so on.
Am I one
of such? How do I react to difficulties and challenges? Am I like these Israelites
who cried like babies or am I like the woman in today’s Gospel passage who
would not take ‘NO’ for an answer?
At first,
Jesus ignores her completely. She kept calling out until the disciples of Jesus
had to appeal that Jesus should send her away. Then as if to add salt to
pepper, Jesus said: “it is not right to take the food of children and throw it
to the dogs.” At this point, she could have walked away in tears but she decided
to focus on the brighter side of things; she asked for the crumbs and by so
doing, she got her miracle!
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to wipe off my tears and focus on you instead. Amen.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday
of the 18th week in Ordinary time. Bible Study: Numbers 13:1-35 and
Matthew 15:21-28).
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