You are no Dogs

Today’s Gospel Text: And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. Matt 15:21-28

Reflection:  This passage of scripture should make us Christians reflect about our own faith and how we avail of the many graces available to us as Christians or as Catholics.

Seeing the many conversions of the neo-Christians and their strong faith and testimonies. it can make us wonder whether it is a similar situation of the Canaanite woman, who receives from the Lord on account of her special faith.

It is as if the Lord is pleading with us Christians; I have come for you, the lost sheep of the house of God. To you belong the special graces, offered through the sacraments of the Church, through its institutions and the various processes.

As in here in the gospel, it is the outsiders who recognize this Jesus and pay him a greater obeisance and receive from him the many graces and healings.

When the Lord says: "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs,” He is telling us his chosen ones, who are full of ingratitude, that he considers us, as his own. We are his children from among the people of the world (cfr.! Pt. 2: 9-11).

He is also telling us that these special graces of healing, peace and joy belongs to us first and we need not equate ourselves with anybody but rather carry on generously to reach out to others with the Gospel.

It is the best gift that we can give others and the Lord has chosen to give it to others through us, as his instruments. 

Hence, witnessing to this power means to witness to what we keep experiencing, as beloved children in our daily life, through his intervention in us. This intervention can only happen if we allow the Lord to work in us or if we allow ourselves to be dependent on him.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for making us your own, help me to never forget this great action of yours achieved through the shedding of your most precious blood on the cross.Make me your instrument.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us