Daily Gospel Reflection
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August 16, 2020
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel reading presents a challenge to our faith in Jesus. At first, it seems that Jesus won’t help her as he simply ignores her. Then, he seems to insult her based on the fact that she is a Canaanite and not a Jew saying: “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” How could Jesus, who preaches love of neighbor, treat someone this way?
Perhaps he was testing the Canaanite woman’s faith. Perhaps Jesus is testing our faith in him. Perhaps Jesus has a change of heart himself and moves from ignoring and rebuffing the woman to praising her faith and granting the healing she seeks. Whatever the case may be, in the end, Jesus recognizes the woman’s faith and accepts her with love–a love that heals, both figuratively and literally.
The line that stands out to me the most in this reading is: “But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’” What better example could I have in my prayer life? I do one hour of Eucharistic Adoration each week. I feel differently about this commitment each week: sometimes I feel excited to go and sometimes I feel like skipping it. Sometimes I feel the urgent need to call on God for help with something going on in my life and sometimes I have no idea what to pray for. In all of those cases, it would be a wonderful prayer for me to simply kneel before him and say, like the Canaanite woman, “Lord, help me.”
Prayer
Blessed are you, O Lord our God. Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, promised that people of all races or cultural backgrounds will be blessed in their persistent faith in your divine power and compassion. May we in our prayer also be so blessed as to receive those spiritual gifts that will assist us in giving you honor and glory. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Stephen was crowned the first king of Hungary in 1001 and united that nation under Christianity.
He literally established the Church there—erecting churches and recommending bishops to lead in different regions. He commanded tithes to be paid to support new monasteries and parishes, and suppressed pagan beliefs.
He stayed close to the poor. Anyone could tell him their story and find a ready ear, but he made himself especially available to poor people. In one story, he disguised himself to distribute money and goods to the poor himself. A crowd gathered around him, and a small number roughed him up and took for themselves what he had intended to give to many. He laughed it off, happy to suffer for Christ, and resolved to never refuse support to any poor person who asked him.
His son, Blessed Emeric of Hungary was to be heir to the throne, but died in a hunting accident. Stephen was grief-stricken, and spent the rest of his life amidst bitter disputes about his succession.
He died from a painful illness in 1038. On his deathbed, he raised his right hand and asked the Virgin Mary to be Queen of Hungarians. His right hand remained incorrupt after his death and is kept intact as a relic. Known simply as the Holy Right, it is kept in Budapest to this day as a sign that Mary accepted his offer.
Shortly after his death, healings took place at the tomb of St. Stephen. He was canonized as the first confessor king—a new category of saint—and his relics are on display in the Basilica.
St. Stephen of Hungary, you cared most for those in need—pray for us!
Image Credit: Image by Notre Dame alumnus Matthew Alderman, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of his art. Used here with permission.