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Gospel Reading for August 05, 2026 – Matthew 15: 21-28
QUALITY OF THE 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 he did not say a word in answer to her. His 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 him 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 her daughter was healed from that hour.
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The exchange between Jesus and the Canaanite woman is almost like a hearing in a court of law. The woman presents her petition before the Judge—in this case, Jesus—but she has no legal counsel and must plead her own case. Jesus raises objections, yet she responds with reasoned arguments. Her final plea is so compelling that Jesus grants her request.
When we reflect on Jesus’ words, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” and “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs,” we may wonder: Why, then, did Jesus enter Gentile territory—a region inhabited by non-Israelites? Why was Jesus in what he himself referred to as the “dogs” territory? Could it be that he wanted to hear a Gentile herself express her faith in him and her desperate need for his mercy? Was he testing her response to the way the Israelites referred to Gentiles as “dogs”? Even the disciples were urging Jesus to send her away. Whatever his purpose, the woman succeeds in persuading him because her plea springs from profound faith and deep humility. Above all, what surely touched the heart of Jesus was her immense love for her daughter.
It is common to hear people say, “Please pray for me. Malakas ka kay Lord.” Yet, since we are all children of God, there is no such thing as “palakasan” with him. God does not play favorites. What matters is not that someone is supposedly malakas kay Lord, but the QUALITY OF THE PRAYER—a prayer offered with sincere faith, genuine humility, and complete trust in God’s love and mercy.
Lord Jesus, teach us to pray with profound faith and humility. Amen.
