Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 7 August 2024
Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Wednesday
Jeremiah 31:1-7. Matthew 15:21-28
Great faith!
Jesus walks across the boundaries of Israel. His inclusive ministry starts with this. He is able to walk amidst the Gentile territories. A Canaanite woman comes pleading with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. She comes to Jesus, who trespassed his boundaries. She presumed that Jesus’ presence in her territory had opened up the gates of the kingdom. But Jesus seems to reserve the entry.
Jesus says to her, ‘bread is only for the children.’ In answer, the woman says to him, ‘The food is for children alone, but the table and the dining hall are for everyone. There is space for children, adults, and pets. All the stomachs will be filled.
Jesus defines in his heart that his ministry is for the people of Israel alone, while through his journey, he begins to welcome all.
Jesus appreciates the woman and says, “Woman, your faith is great!’
Her faith was great and grand because her vision was big and grand. This woman’s perception of reality is known as ‘unitive consciousness.’ When everyone at the seashore was admiring the sea as a collection of many drops, one sage was reflecting on the entire sea as one big water drop. This type of person is never anxious or worried. They don’t murmur or become angry. Their attitude opens the mouth of God. Their positive outlook towards life brings healing to them and to their loved ones.
In the first reading, the Lord God says through Prophet Jeremiah, “I will be God to all the families of Israel, and they will be my children.” After the Babylonian Exile, people expanded their vision of their God and world.
Unitive consciousness makes us come out of our differentiation on account of gender, race, caste, language, rite, and religion. Because their faith is great.
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‘Pilgrims of hope’ persevere in persuading God to action because they themselves are persons of action. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 167).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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