Sometimes God keeps us waiting so as to deepen our faith.

 
Reading: She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Luke 7:30.
 
Good morning, happy Thursday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
Today’s Gospel (Mark 7:24-30) reading begins as Jesus tries to escape the crowds of people. Jesus was tired and He needed time to rest and pray. He hoped to find a place where both He and his disciples could be alone and rest.

However, a woman whose daughter had an “unclean” spirit, heard that Jesus was in Tyre and she quietly entered the house where He was staying. The woman was Greek, and, in that day, all Greeks were considered “dogs” by Jewish society. This woman was viewed as one of the “least” in their eyes and as such, she should have kept her distance from Jesus. But the woman was desperate and yet hopeful.
 
When she approaches Jesus, He asks the woman why she is there. Jesus realizes that it is highly unusual for a Greek woman to approach Him. Despite this, the woman speaks directly to Jesus. She tells Him that even the “dogs” are permitted to eat the scraps that fall from the master’s table. And she will be more than content with the “scrap” that Jesus might give her. The “scrap” that she is hoping for is restored health for her daughter.
 
This admirable Gentile lady was nothing if not persistent. At first Jesus effectively said “No” to her request that He cast the demon out of her troubled daughter back at home. But she wouldn’t take “No” for an answer. Deep down she knew that if she kept pestering Him, she would ultimately be successful.
 
Jesus is astounded at the woman’s faith and courage, and He immediately tells her that the demon has left her daughter. And when the woman arrived home, her daughter was well! Sometimes God keeps us waiting so as to deepen our faith. In the long run what He wants is always best for us.
 
What is the “demon” in our lives that we are asking Jesus to cast out today? What will you ask Jesus for today? How would I respond when confronted by a distressed person from a different background to me? Would I recognize their urgent need, Am I willing to reach across divides and boundaries, in order to seek help or to give help? Is my faith strong enough to persist, and not give up when I encounter obstacles? Am I prepared to keep fighting for what I believe in?
Jesus is waiting for you!
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+