Beloved in Christ,
The faith of the Canaanite woman in this Sunday’s gospel illustrates an unshakeable trust in God: “Woman, great is your faith!”(Matthew 15: 28). Last Sunday, if you recall, we reflected on Peter’s weak faith; faith mixed with doubt and fear. We encounter in the Canaanite woman a more profound faith, made more
striking by her Gentile origin. Her persistence and trust in Jesus, despite his seemingly harsh response to her request, make this foreign woman an example for all to imitate. Jesus is saddened
by the lack of faith of his own neighbors and the little faith of his own disciples as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman (CCC 2610).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church goes further to say that “The prayer of faith consists not only in saying, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but in disposing the heart to do the will of the Father. Jesus calls his disciples to bring into their prayer this concern for cooperating with the divine plan” (2611). We must not only develop the bold faith of the Canaanite woman but also be submissive and at
peace with God’s will.
The second dimension to today’s liturgy of the word throws light on God’s inclusiveness. The
two readings before the Gospel, from Isaiah and Paul, tell of God’s bigger plan than the limited imagination of the Jewish people. God wants to expand our vision of who is deserving of his love and care. Isaiah reminds us that God loves foreigners- indeed anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. God’s temple is a house of prayer for all peoples, not just native-born Israelites. Everyone is deserving of dignity and care because all are from God. This is why our prayers are directed to all- family and strangers; local and international; all are included in our prayers. Let’s remember this in how we pray, as we do in our Universal Prayer (prayers of the faithful).
Drawing on the lessons from today’s readings, I want to express profound gratitude for your prayers for me on my birthday last Wednesday. Thanks for joining me in the highest prayer of thanksgiving at Mass on Wednesday morning. I am grateful for the prayers, gifts, and cards.
May God hear our prayers said in deep, trusting faith.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
The faith of the Canaanite woman in this Sunday’s gospel illustrates an unshakeable trust in God: “Woman, great is your faith!”(Matthew 15: 28). Last Sunday, if you recall, we reflected on Peter’s weak faith; faith mixed with doubt and fear. We encounter in the Canaanite woman a more profound faith, made more
striking by her Gentile origin. Her persistence and trust in Jesus, despite his seemingly harsh response to her request, make this foreign woman an example for all to imitate. Jesus is saddened
by the lack of faith of his own neighbors and the little faith of his own disciples as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman (CCC 2610).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church goes further to say that “The prayer of faith consists not only in saying, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but in disposing the heart to do the will of the Father. Jesus calls his disciples to bring into their prayer this concern for cooperating with the divine plan” (2611). We must not only develop the bold faith of the Canaanite woman but also be submissive and at
peace with God’s will.
The second dimension to today’s liturgy of the word throws light on God’s inclusiveness. The
two readings before the Gospel, from Isaiah and Paul, tell of God’s bigger plan than the limited imagination of the Jewish people. God wants to expand our vision of who is deserving of his love and care. Isaiah reminds us that God loves foreigners- indeed anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. God’s temple is a house of prayer for all peoples, not just native-born Israelites. Everyone is deserving of dignity and care because all are from God. This is why our prayers are directed to all- family and strangers; local and international; all are included in our prayers. Let’s remember this in how we pray, as we do in our Universal Prayer (prayers of the faithful).
Drawing on the lessons from today’s readings, I want to express profound gratitude for your prayers for me on my birthday last Wednesday. Thanks for joining me in the highest prayer of thanksgiving at Mass on Wednesday morning. I am grateful for the prayers, gifts, and cards.
May God hear our prayers said in deep, trusting faith.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
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