From the Pastor&#039;s Desk: August 16, 2020

Jesus’ mission during His earthly lifetime was to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and lay the foundation of the Catholic Church.
In Old Testament times, salvation from sin, both original and personal, had been reserved only to the Jews, only to the one Chosen People. But with the coming of Jesus, all peoples, all the Gentile nations are now invited to hope for eternal life in the household of God, the "house of prayer for all peoples" as Isaiah had prophesied in the First Reading. For most people – especially the spiritual leaders – the understanding about salvation was a gift “reserved” only for the Jewish people.

Today’s Gospel reveals the loving compassion of God in His plan for humanity in the example of the Canaanite woman who approached Him as the Messiah with deep faith, profound humility, and unwavering persistence. She was so concerned for her daughter that nothing mattered for her but to tag along behind a Jewish rabbi in public, screaming to get his attention: “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!” What we hear next is a pretty awkward dialogue that offers a tremendous testimony about this women’s faith, humility and persistence, "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." She didn't come to Him burning with anger at God for allowing her innocent daughter to be tormented by demons. She understood that miracles were undeserved gifts from God, just like existence itself. This humble attitude strengthened her, enabling her to absorb the Lord's initial rejection, and then come right back with another petition. She believed in Jesus so much so, that she touched His heart as Jesus Himself compliments her on her faith! “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” Love, faith, and humility: these are the ingredients for prayer that moves the heart of God- a heart that can be moved, because God is a person, not a force.

For us today, this is an incredible important lesson. We live our lives in the fast lane. Immediate gratification and satisfied expectation is what we anticipate anymore. Our goal, however, should be to live like the Canaanite woman with lives of deep faith, profound humility, and unwavering persistence. My friends, we are chosen by God; singled out to be bearers of the Good News in the world today. In this, we are the most fortunate of people who have to live our life in accordance with our faith in God, faith that is sincere, faith that is filled with humility and love. This should be the reason we get up every morning to experience His presence in our life, to persevere in faith, and with hope to place our trust in Him, so in turn we can share joyfully all we have with people everywhere – especially with our parish community. Whenever we do this, our usually self-centered life automatically becomes more God-centered, and we exercise and expand our love, faith, and humility. More and more we become “the best version of ourselves”.

May the example of deep and persevering faith of the Canaanite woman, invite us also to come to Jesus with our personal needs and the needs of those we love, so in our humility and faith we would also hear Jesus’ loving words, “Great is your faith.” May this week help us to grow strong in our faith and with trust to believe that with Jesus on our side, everything is possible.

I wish you a blessed, safe, and joy-filled week. Let us support each other to continue to rediscover Jesus in our lives and to grow in faith, humility, love and perseverance.

With prayers,
Fr. Andy