WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 2024
EIGHTEENTH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
St Sixtus II, Pp. and Companions, Mm. (Opt. Mem.) or St Cajetan, P. (Opt. Mem.)
Jeremiah 31:1-7
Matthew 15:21-28
“LET IT BE DONE FOR YOU AS YOU DESIRE”
For all who believe, trust and hope in the saving mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ, the words of Jesus in today’s gospel, “let it be done for you as you desire” is his wish and concern to all prayers and supplications made to him.
He does not wish us any other thing but our good wishes, our peace of mind, salvation of soul and wellbeing on earth.
In the first reading, Israel was given a reassuring love of God after their exiles and captivity. The Lord declared to the remnant of the people through the prophet Jeremiah promising his everlasting love to his people, Israel. And detailing the particularity of such love, the Lord assures them of peace in their land, prosperity in their efforts, protection of all that belongs to them and gladness with happiness.
The gospel reading establishes that this love is not constricted to a privileged few. Jesus uses the event of the Canaanite woman to drive home the point that salvation and belongingness to Christ is not by blood, racial, tribal or ethnic affiliation, family ties, and societal status. God has no favourites.
Rather, to belong to Christ and be beneficiary of the everlasting love of Christ, is attained by faith in him, trust in his promises and dedication to his service. As this Canaanite woman displayed today, when Jesus likened her to a house dog, but her persistence in requesting for the healing of her daughter, accepting that even a house dog deserves to eat from the crumbs that falls from the table. As such, she calls to attention that as long as life exist in us, we must gain also from the salvation brought by Jesus to the world.
Jesus accepted her faith profession, declaring that great is her faith and that her prayers and wishes be granted her. It makes faith the bedrock of our relationship with Christ. And such faith is not limited to some or based on any affiliation except faith in God.
Anyone possessing faith is acceptable to God and will never be disappointed. Let us therefore build up our faith in Christ, trust in him, make supplications to him, request for our needs and hold fast to him. We will never be disappointed.
Heavenly Father, you accepted the prayers and supplications of this Canaanite women, who desperately sought your help and you granted her all she asked. May we gain all we ask of you, be blessed with greater faith, trust and hope in you. May our lives witness the privileges of belonging to you through Christ our Lord
Fr Norbert Uchuno
