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Gospel: Mt 15:21–28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from the area, came and cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not answer her, not even a word. So his disciples approached him and said, “Send her away! See how she is shouting after us.”
Then Jesus said to her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.”
But the woman was already kneeling before Jesus, and said, “Sir, help me!” Jesus answered, “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to puppies.” The woman replied, “That is true, sir, but even puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said, “Woman, how great is your faith! Let it be as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

(source of Gospel: www.abs-cbnnews.com/daily-gospel/08/16/14/gospel-august-17-2014-sunday)

 

REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION:

Let’s start our reflection with a story: There’s a child who is invited to eat dinner with their new neighbor and ask permission to his parents. His parents permit him but advised him to be nice to them. So he joins their new neighbor in dinner. When he got home, he is asked if he is satisfied with the food and their company. He replied that they are like their dog “Brownie”. The parents are shocked and ask why. The son said that when they are sitting next to the table and the food is served, they race to get their food immediately not even prayed to thanks for the food.

Reflection to the above story is that many of us acting like dogs nowadays. In the Gospel, Jesus describes Pagan like dogs. Why not cat? Why not cow? If you remember the previous Gospel when He feeds the 5000 men, all they want now is to feed them. In the past, Pagan does not approach Jews. But in the gospel there’s a Pagan who approach Jesus begging help for her sick child. At first, Jesus doesn’t want to. The girl even tried harder to approach Jesus and kneeled. And that is the time when Jesus said that “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to puppies.” This is because the Jews describe the Pagan same as dogs. It is their view because Pagans always accepts someone who bring them that that thing or someone is their God. You’ll bring Golden image or something to them, they will worship it. They will eat anything that’s why they describe them as dogs. But the girl still asks for help despite of what Jesus said to her. That’s why Jesus said that “Woman, how great is your faith! Let it be as you wish.” And this is the message for this week. Don’t be tired and turn your back to the Lord. There’s a saying “Try and try until you succeed”. They even change that as “try and try until you die”. The second is a joke. It is nicer to achieve what you want that you are alive. We keep on praying and asking to win the lotto when we don’t even buy a ticket. Do you want to finish your studies? Study hard and attend your classes. You want to have a work? Apply and find a job. Let’s do our best and God will do the rest not do our REST and God will do His best. You want to your house look better? Don’t waste your money to not important. When you courted a girl and week had passed she still not answered your love back, don’t immediately get frustrated and embarrassed. If you really want for something, work hard for it. 

In the gospel, if the girl in the Gospel gave up easily, her child will not be healed. The best things in life cannot be achieve easily. The fruit of hard work is sweet when it is ripe. Winners don’t give up. When we won, Joy will come.