Daily Gospel Reflection for February 8, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 7:24-30

Today´s Gospel tells us about the cure of the Syrophoenician woman´s daughter, who was possessed by a demon. At first, it might seem that Jesus was rude, comparing her to dogs, but He was just testing her faith and giving a strong message to His own disciples. Back then, the Jews considered the pagans as inferior people, and they didn´t even bother to talk to them. When He explained to her, a pagan woman, that His message and miracles were directed first to the children of Israel, she insisted that she could receive at least a crumb of his power.

Her faith that His power could heal even a pagan girl was so big that He granted her wish. And by doing so, He taught His disciples that, regardless of personal origin, the most important thing is faith in Him. We can also learn from this passage the power of intercession, the power of a mother´s prayer. The woman wasn´t asking anything for herself, but for her daughter, who wasn´t in a condition to ask. We can always pray for those who are in need and maybe don´t know how to ask.

Another powerful message is that we can ask Jesus for anything, even if we don´t think we have the right to receive what we are asking for. This woman knew she wasn´t supposed to talk to Jesus, but she started shouting (this detail we can see in Mathew´s Gospel), begging His attention. And He listened to her! We should be brave and ask for anything we need, remembering always to submit our will to the will of God: “Your will be done.”

Ponder:

Who is in need of your prayer today? How deep is your faith that the Lord loves you and will grant anything you need for the salvation of your soul?

Pray:

Dear Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief! Please help everyone that has asked for my prayers and is in need to feel Your love and care for them.

Click to tweet:
We can ask Jesus anything, even if we don´t think we have the right to receive what we are asking for. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2024 Flávia Ghelardi