St. Sixtus Ⅱ,  Pope & martyr, & Companions, martyrs 

St. Cajetan, priest 

＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊        Numbers 13: 1-2, 25-14: 1, 26a-29a, 34-35*

Yahweh then spoke to Moses, saying, 

“Send men to explore the land of Canaan that I am giving to the Israelites; send one man from each of the ancestral tribes, all of them leaders.”

After forty days of exploration, they returned.   They went and met Moses, Aaron and the whole community of Israelites in the wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They gave an account to them and the whole community and showed them the fruit of this land.  And they said,  “We entered the land where you sent us, truly a land flowing with milk and honey and here is the fruit.  But how strong are the people who inhabit the land!(…..)

Then all the community broke out in loud cries and wept during the night.  Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron saying,   “How long will this wicked community grumble against me?” I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel against me. (…..)

 

 ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

 Matthew 15: 21-28

 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman came from the area, came and cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”   But Jesus did not answer her, not even a word. So his disciples approached him and said, “Send her away: see how she is shouting after us.”  Then Jesus said to her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.”

 But the woman was already kneeling before Jesus and said, “Sir, help me!”  Jesus answered, “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs.”  The woman replied, “that is true, sir, but even puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.”  Then Jesus said, “Woman, how great is your faith! Let it be as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

 

Reflection gospel：

“WOMAN, HOW GREAT IS YOUR FAITH!”

We have here in the gospel passage an extraordinary demonstration of faith in Jesus. Although the point of the reading is the inclusion of other nations in the saving plan of God, the unwavering faith and persistence of the woman take on special attention. Three time she was ignored and rebuffed, but she persisted.

Daily human affairs are replete with the interplay of rejection, persistence, and belief.

Experience would tell us that it is quite impossible for a person to achieve or get something significant done if she/he does not believe he can do it. Extra effort and motivation is needed if this were the case. One who does not believe she/he can do it, will not make it; he will not even attempt to do it because of lack of faith. Strong faith keeps one on the move in spite of obstacles and difficulties. It gives her/him the resolve to persist. Faith is the fuel of persistence so to speak.