August 20, 2023
Sunday Nomba 20 for Ordinary Time (Yia A)
Readings for Today
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For dat time, Jesus leave go di area of Tyre and Sidon. One Canaanite woman from dat area come dey shout, “Lord, Son of David, pity me! One demon dey torment my daughter.” Matthew 15:21–22
After di Pharisees challenge Jesus with harsh words, Him and His disciples travel 35 mail go northwest, to one area wey dey for pagan territory, outside di area wey Herod and di Jewish leaders get authority over. E fit don be time for Him and His disciples to rest, and chance for Jesus to train di disciples more directly. Na during dis time wey dem withdraw from di crowd one pagan woman come ask Jesus for help.
As di story dey go on, we see say her prayer na example for all of us. First, she acknowledge Who Jesus be—di Son of David. Dis show her faith, and e clearly different from di lack of faith wey Jesus don see among plenty people for Galilee. Second, she make her request with simple words wey go straight to di point: “Pity me!” And, “Lord, help me.” Third, she no stop to pray. Jesus allow her show say she no go give up: first, He no answer her request, then He tell her, “E no right to take di children food throw give dogs.” E clear say Jesus no talk dis one to insult her, but to invite her to show her faith without giving up. And na wetin she do. Finally, her prayer show say she really humble. She answer, “Abeg, Lord, even dogs dey chop di crumbs wey fall from their masters table.” She dey beg for di “crumbs” of Jesus mercy, and she receive His mercy for plenty.
You dey desire di crumbs of Jesus mercy di way dog dey desire di crumbs from im owner table? We hope say you dey. Na dis kind mind all of us must get when we dey pray. Sometimes, because of pride, we fit think say we get right to God mercy. We fit think say God owe us. And even though we fit understand say mercy no be wetin we deserve, we must allow dat truth enter deep inside our heart. Na why dis story dey very important. E show us di best way to pray and di humble mind wey we must get inside us when we dey come near God.
As you dey pray, take time picture one dog wey dey beg for crumbs from table. When dem give dog di food wey remain, e dey very happy. For us, to chop crumbs from another person plate no be wetin we dey like. But if di “plate” belong to di Saviour of di World and di “food” na His grace and mercy, then everything don change. For di end, di Master still dey invite us come di table and feed us with di best spiritual food. But dat one no change di fact say we must always get di humble mind wey dis humble woman show us.
Today, reflect on dis holy woman. For di end, Jesus call out, “Woman, your faith great well-well!” But dis one no happen until she use all her heart show her faith with humility, without giving up. As you take her as bright example, reflect on how you dey pray to God. You dey pray as person wey think say im own righteousness don qualify am for God mercy? You dey see God as Person wey owe you something? You dey vex with God when He no answer wetin you demand immediately? Try humble yourself like dis woman. Beg for anything wey God want give you. Do am without giving up and with full trust. If you do so, our Lord no go only pour out di crumbs of His mercy; He go also lift you up and invite you to di glorious meal of His grace wey dey flow for plenty.
Jesus wey full of mercy pass all, I dey beg You make I receive even only di crumbs from di table of Your mercy. I dey beg You dis with all my heart. Even though I no deserve You, I still dey seek You. You know wetin I need, dear Lord; abeg, give me Your mercy for all those needs. Jesus, na You I trust.
Novena to Saint Monica
(Dem dey pray am especially for children wey don go astray)
August 18-26
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Saint for Today – Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of di Church
Dem no dey celebrate am as liturgical memorial dis yia because e fall on Sunday
Main image wey dey above: Christ and the Canaanite Woman, through Web Gallery of Art
