Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 15,21-28.
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
The process of prayer
- The first thing we see is the attitude of shouting. It is the first praying attitude that this woman of the gospel uses: she shouts. Jesus answers nothing. How many times does this happen to us?! We yell and … no reply. Screaming is the attitude of someone who’s desperate, who can’t take any more. Are you screaming today? What are you shouting to God? I know there may be something that worries you and drives you crazy… and I also know that you may be shouting to God for help. Don’t stop yelling because you are going to get the help you need from Heaven. Some Apostle or Saint is going to hear you, they are going to say, “God, look at him, because he has been shouting for help for a long time!” I’m inviting you to continue yelling. Go on! Insist! Turn only to God to heal you, get close to his ear (the tabernacle) and ask him to heal you.
- There is a second attitude when we stop shouting and that is: prostrating ourselves before Jesus. This means abandoning yourself in His hands, this is the moment when humility and faith come together. Someone I remember doing this is St. John Paul II. He prayed like this, kneeling before Jesus, knowing that he was nothing and that HE, God was everything. Even as a Pope, he prostrated himself in prayer. Put yourself in God’s hands so that He may lift you up and heal you. Tell Jesus, “Here I am, I can’t take it any longer, I can’t go on alone! All I know is that you are greater than my problem. Here I am, with all that I am, and all my problems. I’m putting myself in your hands, I’m kneeling before you, I’m lying at your feet.” And I dare suggest that if you wish, you could prostrate yourself, lie before him, alone in your room, as a sign, and pray.
- But there is also a response of faith like this woman’s surprising response. Whoever has faith is a giant in life. I’m thinking of those whose faith helped them overcome life in concentration camps. I think of so many people who, through faith, have overcome the worst calamities. And I think of you, even if I don’t know you personally, but I know you’re listening to me. I know that through your faith you’re going to pull through, you’re going to make it. I don’t know if you have great faith or not, but just knowing you have faith, I know you will be able to succeed in overcoming your difficulties. I have faith in God, and I have faith in you. Do you have faith in yourself? Do you have faith in God?
God bless you and be with you, in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen …and do not forget: Heaven is Our Goal!
