Home Daily Meditation Matthew 15, 21-28

Matthew 15, 21-28

by Fr. Luis A. Zazano
Matthew 15, 21-28 fb

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

  1. She called out. It is the first attitude of prayer that this woman of the gospel uses: she calls out. Jesus does not answer. How many times does this happen to us?! We yell and … no reply. Shouting is the attitude of someone who’s desperate, who can’t take any more. Are you crying out today? What are you shouting out 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 calling out because,sooner or later, you are going to get the help you need from Heaven. Some Apostle or Saint is going to hear you; they’re going to say, “God, look at him, because he has been shouting for help for such a long time!” I’m inviting you to continue calling out. Go on! Insist! Turn only to God to heal you, get close to his ear (in the tabernacle) and ask Him to heal you.
  2. She postrated. There is a second attitude of prayer…when we stop shouting… It 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 dare suggest that if you wish, you could prostrate yourself,( lie or kneel before him), alone in your room, as a sign, and pray.
  3. Response of faith. This woman gave a surprising reply. 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!

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