By Brandon, CSC –
Readings: Num 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29, 34-36; Mt 15:21-28
Believing in oneself is the beginning of changes. For the poor who are affected by disease, a revolutionary who emerges amidst the suppressed society and a simple mother who suffers the unbearable pain to bring up her family and for all those who hope for new life, the Canaanite woman in the Gospel stands as a symbol of faith.
Our mother Church extends her branches to various parts of the world despite the atrocities done to her. It is because she believes in the faith of the local people, tribal people and the marginalized who bear witness to Christ even at the risk of their lives.
The persistent faith of the woman and the compassionate response of Jesus teach me that as a religious I should not belong to any group or region but cultivate an attitude to work for all people. I assume that Jesus was not silent in this incident, but he was observing the reaction of his disciples.
As he was preparing them to be full-fledged disciples, they understood the demand of discipleship, that is to go out to different nations to proclaim good news and heal the sick. He taught them that they were not only belong to Jews but to the whole world. As I have received the call to become a disciple, let me inculcate these values to have persistent faith in God and to work for his creation in spite of language, culture and traditions.