Daily Gospel Reflection for August 20, 2023

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

All around us today, we are constantly fed lies that foster and feed insecurity, anxiety, and restlessness. We don’t feel worthy, and self-help is one of the leading genres of books.

Similarly, the woman in today’s Gospel does not feel worthy. Enough so that she likens herself to a dog, requesting the scraps from its master’s table.

Did Jesus initially refuse the woman’s request because He saw her as unworthy?

Or, rather, did He initially refuse the woman’s request in order to determine whether or not her plea was sincere?

In just one short Gospel passage, we find Christ extending mercy to a woman whom He, Himself, acknowledges isn’t worthy by the cultural and societal standards.

Christ looks at us, and no matter what is happening in our lives, He also extends His merciful gaze and looks upon us.

The Canaanite woman recognized Jesus for Who He was when she referred to Him as “Lord, Son of David.” While society told her she was unworthy, and even when Christ seemed to rebuke her, she held firm to her plea.

The seemingly unworthy woman truly humbled herself, acknowledging that she was coming to the Savior with nothing more than her desperation to have her daughter healed.

She knew Christ was the Savior. She took the leap of faith that God hopes to see from all of us – the leap of faith that has us reach out to Him, cling to Him, and be willing to acknowledge we can’t do a thing without His help.

Christ extended mercy to the woman whom societal norms would say should be shunned. In this passage, we find Christ extending compassion, healing, and most of all, the reminder that God is for everyone.

Our Savior is for us all.

If we just show faith.

Ponder:

How will you reach out in faith and allow Christ to lift you up this week?

Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of unconditional love and mercy. Help guide me to trust that You always see my beauty and worth and remind me of Your never-ending love.