August 5, 2020
Wednesday for di Eighteenth Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Dedication of di Basilica of Saint Mary Major—Memorial wey no be obligation
Listen for English
But di woman come bow down before am, dey talk say, “Lord, help me.” E answer am say, “E no right to take di children food throw give dogs.” She talk say, “Abeg, Lord, even dogs dey chop di small-small food wey fall from their oga table.” Matthew 15:25-27
Jesus really mean say to help dis woman be like to throw food give dogs? Because of our pride, wetin Jesus talk for vex most of us well-well. But wetin E talk na true, and e no rude for any way. E clear say Jesus no fit dey rude. Even so, if person just look wetin E talk for surface, e fit look like rude talk.
First, make we look how wetin E talk na true. Dis woman dey ask Jesus make E come heal her daughter. Di main thing wey Jesus dey tell am be say she no deserve dis grace for any way. And na true. Just as dog no deserve food from table, na so we too no deserve God grace. Even though dis way of talking fit shock person, Jesus talk am like dis so E go first show di truth about our sinful condition and how we no worthy. And dis woman accept am.
Second, wetin Jesus talk give dis woman chance to respond with heart wey humble well-well and with strong faith. We see her humble heart as she no deny di comparison with dog wey dey chop food from table. Instead, with humble heart, she point out say even dogs dey chop di small-small food wey fall. Ah, dis na humble heart! In fact, we fit dey sure say Jesus talk to am for dis way wey bring her low small because E know how humble she be, and E know say her response go allow her humble heart shine out, so her faith go show. Di truth wey bring her low, say she no worthy, no vex her; instead, she accept am and still seek God plenty mercy even though she no worthy.
Humble heart fit open way for faith, and faith dey open way for God mercy and power. For di end, Jesus talk make everybody hear say, “Oh woman, your faith great!” Her faith show clear, and Jesus use di chance honour her because of dat faith wey come with humble heart.
Today, think well about how humble your own heart be before God. How you for react if Jesus talk to you like dis? You for humble enough to admit say you no worthy? If na so, you for still get enough faith to cry out for God mercy even though you no worthy? Dis wonderful qualities dey go together (humble heart and faith), and dem dey open way for God mercy!
Lord, I no worthy. Help me make I see am. Help me make I see say I no deserve Your grace for my life. But as I humbly accept dis truth, make I still recognise Your plenty mercy, and make I no ever fear to call on You for mercy. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint for Today – Dedication of di Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Image: Di Woman from Canaan for Christ Feet, wey Jean Germain Drouais paint
