Jesus really does care for us, in spite of indications to the contrary.

Reading: Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. Matthew 15:28.
 
Good morning, happy Wednesday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
Today’s Gospel (Matthew 15:21-28) start after Jesus had a confrontation with the Pharisees. He went to the region of Tyre and Sidon and there a woman from Canaanite presented her request. She said, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 
 
Here we can find the woman presenting her request to Jesus and asking Him not for her own good but her beloved daughter. She took the problem of her daughter as her own and now presenting herself before the Creator and Master of the universe.
How often do we find ourselves being in the same situation with the woman? We present our petition to God through our prayers and earnestly wait for the answer.
 
When we look at the request of the woman, one cannot argue that her request is benevolent and for the good of her daughter. There is no doubt that Jesus will surely answer her request immediately, right? But what was the response of Jesus Christ? “He answered her not a word”.
This can be the most shattering response that the Canaanite woman did not expect from our Savior. She approached Jesus with all the hopes and faith that Jesus will respond to her problem in the most favorable way, especially her request is not selfish.
 
To add to the dilemma, Christ’s disciples “came and urged Him, saying, ‘send her away, for she cries after us’” (Matthew 15:23). But Jesus knows exactly what He was doing. He wants to try the faith of the Canaanite woman that the “genuineness of [her] faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter. 1:7). In effect, Jesus also wants to teach His disciples a very vital lesson that they should learn from this incident.
 
Surely, the woman should have left in despair and disappointment. But we can read her reply, “Lord, help me!” By reading this statement, I can feel how badly the woman needed the healing. She is really fervent in her prayer. She “came and worshiped Him” is a reinforcement of her faith to Jesus Christ. Just in case, her first statement to Jesus does not suffice or maybe she asked amiss, she repeated her request with more zeal, urgency, and fervency. This is reminiscent of the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 which tells us God will avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him though He bears long with them.
 
This gospel tells the story of the need for total trust and confidence. Jesus really does care for us, in spite of indications to the contrary. Also, the need for us to persist in prayer. Prayer helps us to be in harmony with Gods will for us with brings us peace and security. Today I wonder: How honest are my conversations with God? Do I say what I really think? Do I pray for others? Can I wrestle with the Lord and refuse to take no for an answer?
 
Blessings,
 
Fr. Luis+