Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time
August 16, 2020 •
This woman doesn't give up does she? She persists. ...
We always must persevere in prayer. It doesn't matter whether God is silent. Or whether His word seems to contradict your hopes and desires. It doesn't matter. Pray. And then pray some more.
And when you're really struggling? When you feel like the Lord is challenging you, what do you do? You humble yourself. You get down on your hands and knees and bow before Him, and cry out, "Please. Help me."
Finally, when He humiliates you, when He says something true but difficult to receive, a bitter pill to swallow, don't give up. Challenge Him back with faith. Question Him! Don't disrespect Him, but question Him. ....
Why do the saints always get what they pray for? They have learned the lesson of the Canaanite woman. They always persevere in prayer. They're willing to wrestle with God, to ask Him the difficult questions, but always be humble before Him.
Each of us can attain to that same sainthood.
Is 56:1, 6-7; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28
Homily begins at 16:53