DAILY- HOMILY

AUGUST 7, 2013
MEMORIAL, SAINT SIXTUS II, POPE, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS, OR SAINT CAJETAN, PRIEST
WEDNESDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YR I

Num 13:1-2,25;14:1,26-29,34-35 / Ps 106: 6-7ab. 13-14. 21-22. 23 / Mt 15:21-28

Numbers 13:1-2,25;14:1,26-29,34-35
Yahweh then spoke to Moses, saying, "Send men to explore the land of Canaan that I am giving to the Israelites; send one man from each of the ancestral tribes, all of them leaders." After forty days of exploration, they returned. Then all the community broke out in loud cries and wept during the night. Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron saying, "How long will this wicked community grumble against me?" I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel against me. Say to them: As truly as I live, it is Yahweh who speaks, I will do to you what you have said in my hearing. All of you of twenty years or more, numbered in the census, who grumbled against me, your corpses will fall in the desert. According to the number of days spent in exploring the land—forty days, for every day a year—for forty years you shall bear the guilt of your sins and you shall know what it is to oppose me. I, Yahweh, have spoken. Surely this is what I will do to this wicked community that has conspired against me. In this wilderness they shall be destroyed and this is where they shall die."

Matthew 15:21-28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Now a Canaanite woman came from those borders and began to cry 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 the puppy dogs." The woman replied, "That is true, sir, but even the puppy dogs 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.

REFLECTION
In the first reading, God punishes the Israelites for their lack of faith. Instead of entering the Promised Land immediately, Israel will have to wander in the desert for forty years. This was because most of the Israelites doubted that God could help them conquer the people occupying Canaan at that time.

How often have we also doubted God's power and support in times of trial? We forget all the past moments when God has helped us, and go into despair as soon as a big problem arises.

Our attitude should be like that of the Canaanite woman in the gospel. Her daughter is ill and she asks Jesus to heal her. But Jesus replies that his mission is mainly for the Jewish people. The woman, full of faith and determination, persists in asking Jesus' help. So Jesus relents and heals her daughter. Are we as persistent and determined as the Canaanite woman? Jesus wants to help us when we are in trouble but we must call out to him with sincerity and trust. We must pray unceasingly for spiritual graces which Jesus will grant us if we are persistent enough. God wants to give us heavenly things but waits for us to truly desire them and to ask for them with faith.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the personal intentions of
- Karl Miguel V. Cortez
- Pauline
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Dick Ng. Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Rona Charlene O. Lao
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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