Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s readings, I see a common theme of perseverance in trials and trust in God’s mercy for his people. We hear of God’s promise for Israel, that there will once again be prosperity and joy. It must have taken a great faith to hope in this promise after so much torment. At times, we too are tested in our faith and trust in God through our trials. We must be humbled through trials to reveal our true faith in God. The woman in the Gospel is calling out to Jesus, asking for help for her daughter. She is seemingly ignored, but she keeps calling out to Jesus. Jesus confronts the woman in what seems to be a harsh exchange saying, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” The woman’s response is astonishing and one of perseverance, faith, and hope. She is not angered by being called a dog but embraces it in her humility and uses it to further appeal to Jesus, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table.”
Are we humble enough to see that we are fallen sinners, dogs, and not worthy of the food for the children? Do we embrace this fact and trust in God’s mercy, calling out to him even when we are humiliated? If we have the perseverance and trust of the woman in the Gospel, we will be made worthy and will hear Jesus say, “O, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections