Explore a mother's unwavering faith in Jesus as she seeks healing for her daughter, demonstrating the power of courage and love in today's Gospel reflection.
Today's Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28
What mom wouldn’t go to the ends of the earth to save her daughter’s life? In today’s Gospel, a Canaanite woman is desperate for someone, anyone, to save her daughter who is tormented by a demon. Somehow she had heard that a man named Jesus was performing miracles. If He could cast out demons from possessed Jews, surely He could help her daughter, even if she wasn’t a Jew.
I’ve never been blessed with my own children, but I have thirteen nieces and nephews, and I’ve taught thousands of children in my thirty years in education. Every time there’s a school shooting or we practice a lockdown drill, I wonder to what lengths I would go to save my students. Would I throw my body between a gun and a student? Probably. Would I try to knock down a gunman on my own? I don’t know if I have that much courage.
But the woman in today’s Gospel didn’t worry about having enough courage. She didn’t worry about Jesus’s disciples who tried to send her away. She didn’t even worry when Jesus essentially called her a dog. She begged for help anyway.
And why did Jesus relent? Because her faith was so great.
Ponder:
When have I been like the Canaanite woman and brought Jesus my troubles even when others may have tried to deter me?
Pray:
Lord, give me a faith that is so great that I never lack the courage to protect the children you’ve entrusted to me.
Pray Together:
Brainstorm ways your family can help vulnerable children whose parents may be unable to help them.
Copyright 2026 Amy J. Cattapan
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