Posted by The WORD in other words by Fr. Bernardo R. Collera, SVD (Divine Word College of Legazpi, Albay)
Thursday 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel gives us the impression that Jesus needed to keep some private time to get away from it all for a while. Two indications of this condition:(1) “He…wanted no one to know about it…” and (2) his seemingly curt response to the Syrophoenician woman: “it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” He was human after all, vulnerable to stress that often leads to irritableness.
While people might have likely judged Jesus as snobbish and rude, the Syrophoenician woman instead picked up from where Jesus left off. Humbling herself, she responded with a persistent prayer: “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Meanwhile, Jesus, though tested of his human limits never lost the ground he stood on, but even found greater power: “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
Both Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman appeared to be at the edge of their moments, but they simply didn’t allow their worst to take over. Desperate for the healing of her child, the woman could have so easily given up and perhaps broken down. Nope, she kept her composure and wormed herself into the loving heart of Jesus.
We all have our stressful moments, those that can stretch our patience. It is in these trying moments when it is best to stay grounded in our reason for living because that connects us to whatever gives us life and passion for living: the love of life lived for each other and God.
Prayer: Lord, be with us in every moment of our life, particularly when we are faced with our limits so that whatever your will is, especially in our interpersonal interactions, your light will shine to lead us to You, our life. Amen.
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