MATTHEW 15:21-28 A FAITH THAT NEVER GIVES UP

Year A, Wednesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel, a Canaanite woman comes to Jesus, pleading for her daughter's healing. At first, Jesus seems to ignore her, and even His words appear harsh. Yet the woman refuses to give up. She continues to trust, humbly saying, "Lord, even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from their masters' table." Moved by her extraordinary faith, Jesus grants her request: "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish."

This Gospel reminds us that faith is not simply believing when everything goes our way. Real faith continues to trust even when God seems silent, when prayers appear unanswered, or when life does not unfold as we had hoped. We have all experienced moments when we wondered, "Lord, are You listening?" Like the Canaanite woman, we are invited to keep praying, keep trusting, and keep believing that God is at work, even when we cannot yet see the answer.

Perhaps today's Gospel invites us to ask ourselves: Have I given up praying for something because I thought God was not listening? The Lord's delays are not His denials. His timing is often different from ours, but His love never fails. If we persevere in faith, we will discover that God always hears the prayers of a trusting heart. Like the Canaanite woman, may we never stop saying, "Lord, help me," confident that His mercy is greater than any obstacle we face.

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler