Homily for August 8, 2018
_He answered, “It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table. *(Matthew 15:26-27)*_
If you read through all the miracles of Jesus, you would notice almost immediately that each miracle Jesus worked was very unique. No two persons had exactly the same experience with Jesus. This does not mean Jesus is selective or that he loves anyone more than another.
In our first reading, God speaking through Jeremiah says: “I have loved you with an everlasting Love.” As individuals, we do not have the same experience of God but one thing that is clear is that God’s love for each and every one us is real.
In the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, the first lesson we learn is the persistence of this woman. She just wasn’t prepared to give up. At first, Jesus did not answer her a word. This did not put her off. Then Jesus said: “I was sent ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Again, this could not stop her. The third blow was when Jesus said: “It is not fair to give the children’s bread to the dogs.” This again did not deter the woman.
Dear friends, each time I read this passage, I am always challenged never to give up asking from God. Too often, after praying for something for a while, I start to believe God is no longer interested in doing it for me. Looking at this woman’s experience, I now see that every time I get a “No” from God, it only means: “Try again.”
Apart from this woman’s persistence, another lesson we learn from her is her gentle attitude towards life. When she was going to Jesus she was not prepared for such a test but she went with something we must all have: a heart large enough to absorb insults. Just see how she responded to Jesus regarding the crumbs and dogs analogy!
Until we all learn to take insults, life could be hard for us. Learn to bring yourself down; learn to swallow your pride and take things not too seriously. Imagine if this woman had become irritated with Jesus for referring to her daughter as a dog? She would have either walked away or responded negatively to Jesus (as we are fond of doing: giving insult for insult). This would have cost her the miracle she needed. There are many who have unknowingly walked away from greatness all because they couldn’t take insults – all because they couldn’t take “shit.” Humility Pays.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus may give me the type of faith that the Canaanite woman had. 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: Jeremiah 31:1-7, Psalm (Jer. 31:10-13), Matthew 15:21-28).
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