Gospel

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.

Reflection

We will always deal with a kind of self-centredness that creeps into our conversation, into what we're doing or saying, and sometimes we find ourselves criticizing without even reflecting. And we know that that is normal. We are always both fully human and also infused with divinity. And one does not override the other.

Closing Prayer

Father, give us patience as you work to transform us into who you call us to be. We will always find ourselves slipping backwards, being less than we should be, but don't let that discourage us. Give us confidence in the direction you're calling us to live. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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