August 17, 2008 - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

In today’s Gospel the woman approaches Jesus, but is not initially welcomed. Still she persists in her request. She is absolutely single-minded. In this the woman in the gospel demonstrates something significant about faith: sheer persistence matters. Although rebuffed by disciples and ignored by Jesus, she persists with surprising results. Her dogged persistence is recognized by Jesus for what it truly is—great faith (the only person in St. Matthew’s Gospel who is praised for great faith)—and Jesus does have pity on her. Rather than being sent away without her request fulfilled, the woman’s persistent faith moves Jesus to grant her request: “the woman’s daughter was healed.”
The Gospel story reveals something else besides persistence with respect to having great faith. Notice the wording of the woman’s request to Jesus: “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!” Since she is asking for healing for her daughter, one would expect the request to be worded as... [more]