Persistence

 

Mark 7:24-30 .

Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

²⁴ Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. ²⁵ In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. ²⁶ The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

²⁷ “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

²⁸ “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

²⁹ Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

³⁰ She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

This Gospel passage is fitting for the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, as a reminder that God does not refuse our prayers for healing, but grants them as requested or in some other beneficial way. Lourdes in southern France is a renowned place of pilgrimage and for the huge number of healings both physical and spiritual that have occurred there for over a century and a half.  The waters of its miraculous spring continue to bring solace to those, like the Syrophoencian woman implore God for healing. 

We may not get to Lourdes in our lifetime, but for those of us who have been there, the sense of Mary's presence, the faith of the people, and the prayerful atmosphere are "miraculous" and bring healing and peace to the soul. From wherever we are, may we not hesitate to bring our needs to the Father through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, and be open to receive whatever HE wants to grant us.

Bro. Rene