Memorial of St. John Vianney, priest
Jesus is in a foreign land (the north of Israel). A Canaanite woman approaches him. She had clearly heard of Jesus and the power he demonstrated in healing many in Israel. Jesus seems to put her off and the disciples want to get rid of her. But she persisted, strongly. Some commentators even see this episode as Jesus’ bantering with the woman. She persists and clearly, Jesus cannot turn her away, nor ignore her faith, which was obvious. And so, he cured her daughter.
The point is that the everlasting, expansive love of God cannot be confined by national boundaries, by ethnic or racial differences, or by differences of any kind. Jesus came as the savior of the world. To make known that everlasting love of God.
Let us be aware of the ways we experience God’s everlasting love as we reflect on God’s word this day and as we celebrate the memorial of the Lord’s dying and rising in this Eucharist.
Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections