August 7, 2024
Wednesday for Week Eighteen for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, and Im Companions, Martyrs—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory
Saint Cajetan, Fada—Memorial Wey No Be Compulsory
Listen for English
For that time, Jesus comot go di area of Tyre and Sidon. Then one Canaanite woman from that area come dey shout, “Pity me, Lord, Son of David! Demon dey torment my daughter.” But He no answer her even one word. Matthew 15:21–23
Di area of Tyre and Sidon no be Jewish land. Dem talk say di people for there na descendants of Cain, di son of Adam and Eve wey kill im brother, Abel, and wey dem drive comot. Na for di area of Tyre and Sidon im and im descendants settle, and dem no be heirs to di faith wey God give through Abraham, Moses and di prophets, so dem be Gentiles. Jesus and Im disciples trek about 40 miles from Galilee go this area to escape Herod and di Pharisees wey dey find how to kill Am. As Jesus dey there, He no want make people too notice Am, but news say He dey there spread, and this Canaanite woman come meet Am to beg Am make He heal her daughter.
At first, e dey surprise person say Jesus keep quiet. She come meet Am with deep faith and trust, but He no answer her at first. Im disciples want make she stop to dey disturb dem, and Jesus Himself later answer her say Im mission during Im public ministry na to di “sheep wey lost for di house of Israel,” wey mean di Jews. Of course, later Jesus go extend di mission wey He put for di Apostles hand to include di Gentiles. But at first, Jesus’ mission na to di descendants of Abraham.
As we read this story today, e clear say na through di way God dey guide everything this woman take come meet Jesus as she do. Na di Father draw her come meet Am, and Jesus join for this discussion, no be to insult her or push her aside, but to give her chance to show di kind faith wey clearly no dey for many people life.
For our life, sometimes e dey seem say God keep quiet. But if He keep quiet, we must know say na for good reason. God no dey ever ignore us; instead, Im silence na one way to draw us even closer to Himself pass if He answer us immediately in one way wey we fit hear and understand clearly. When God keep quiet, e no always mean say He no dey pleased with us. Many times, na sign say He dey purify us and draw us to show our faith more fully.
As for di Gentile woman, she no be like many of di Jews: she show faith say Jesus na di Messiah. We see this for how she call Am “Son of David.” She use simple words wey clear well to show her trust say Jesus fit heal her daughter. She no need to present herself as person wey deserve Im help, because her trust in Am na all wey she need. On top of that, she no give up for prayer. First, Jesus keep quiet. Then, Im disciples try to send her away. After that, Jesus act as if He no go grant wetin she ask for. All this no make her lose heart; instead, she stand firm with hope. And that hope come with very humble heart. Jesus achieve wetin He want: to give her chance make her faith grow deeper and make everybody see am.
Today, reflect on di qualities of this woman prayer. Try to follow her example by first acknowledging di truth about Who Jesus be. Na Im be di Messiah, di Son of David, di Savior of di World, God Wey Become Human Being, and plenty more. To remember Who Jesus truly be na wonderful way to begin prayer. From there, make your prayer simple, clear and humble. No present wetin you just want; present wetin you need. Wetin you need from di Savior of di World? Of course, God know wetin we need pass as we know am, but to ask na act of trust, so ask Am. Lastly, stand firm. No lose heart for prayer. Pray with all your heart, no give up, and no waver. Humble yourself before di almighty power and mercy of God, and continue like that without stopping, and God go always answer your prayer according to Im holy will.
My Lord wey dey save me, truly, You be di Messiah, di Son of David, di Son of God. Na You and only You deserve all honour, glory and praise. As I dey come to know You as You truly be, abeg fill me with deep trust and faith in You wey no dey shake. Make I stand firm through everything and never stop to put all my hope in You. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Saint for Today –
Saint Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, and Im Companions, Martyrs
