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Gospel Reading for August 16, 2026 -Matthew 15: 21-28
PUREST FORMS OF PRAYER
At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.
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For those of us who are mothers, it is easy to imagine the extreme pain and helplessness of the Canaanite woman as she watched her daughter being tormented by a demon. She knew that Jesus was her only hope, so she did not care if she belonged to the “dogs”—the name used by the Jews for non-Jews. She was desperate, and she was probably waiting for the moment when Jesus would come into their district. Her daughter had to be healed at all costs, even if it meant being content with the scraps that fell from the table of the Jews.
A prayer that is especially powerful is a prayer offered for others rather than for ourselves. It is, in itself, an act of kindness and charity. If God had a “weakness,” it would perhaps be his willingness to grant the prayer of someone who fervently seeks help for those in need, especially for those who do not belong to their family or circle of friends. It must be one of the PUREST FORMS OF PRAYER because it comes from a heart that asks nothing for itself but pleads for the good of another.
Lord Jesus, may we always remember to pray for others more than for ourselves. May our prayers become acts of love and charity, especially for those who need you most. Amen.
