August 4, 2021 Wednesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time-B ST. JOHN VIANNEY, PRIEST
Numbers 13:1-2, 25—14:1, 26-29, 34-35
Psalm 106
Matthew 15:21-28
“O woman, great is your faith!” Mt. 15:28
Lord, O how I would love to hear you say these words to me! This woman had courage to approach you despite being from a pagan land. In your time women just wouldn’t or couldn’t do what she did. She was so desperate that she wouldn’t give up even when you initially ignored her and then told her she was not worthy of your attention. Even your disciples wanted her to go away. But you brought forth her inner faith for all to see. She was rewarded for her trust and persistence with a miracle of healing for her daughter. The lessons of this story are many: that the seed of faith in you can grow in the most unlikely people; you reward perseverance in prayer; and faith always gets God’s attention. Lord Jesus, I don’t know if I have the faith of this woman. Would I have quit and walked away at the first denial, or the second? I beg you to provide good things for my children and grandchildren. I ask for their healing and growth in faith. How I long to hear you say these words of encouragement to me. Amen.