20^th SUNDAY

in Ordinary Time

Have Mercy On Me,

Son Of David

 (17^th August 2008)

THE 7 STEPS

1.      SILENCE

2.      WORSHIP

3.      SCRIPTURE READING

4.      MEDITATION

5.      BY HEART

6.      INTERCESSION

7.      COVENANT PRAYER

I asked for strength that I might achieve, I was made weak that I might obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of others, I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God. 

I asked for all things that

I might enjoy life,
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I have received nothing that I asked for,
All that I hoped for,
my prayer is answered; I  am most blessed.

~Author Unknown~

Scripture Reading: Mt. 15:21-28 

Jesus left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, ‘Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.’ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. ‘Give her what she wants,’ they said ‘because she is shouting after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel’. But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord,’ she said ‘help me.’ He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs’. She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table’. Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

Meditation: Try to answer as many questions as possible

1.      Is Tyre and Sidon a Jewish or pagan region?  Why did Jesus go there? 

2.      How did she address Jesus?  How did she know to call him by that name?  What is the significant of that name?  Whom did she pray for?        

3.      Why was Jesus silent?  What was the Canaanite woman’s reaction after that? 

4.      What was the reaction of the disciples?  Why did they reacted that way?   

5.      What did Jesus say that she was a woman of great faith?  In the end, did she get what she prayed for?      

By Heart: Reflect on this in light of your daily life situation

Shortly after World War II, workmen were clearing out the debris from a bombed-out house in Cologne, Germany.  On one of the cellar walls of the house, they found a moving inscription.  It had apparently been written there by a fugitive Jew who had used the basement to hide from Nazis.  The inscription read:

            “I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. 

             I believe in love even when I feel it not. 

             I believe in God even when he is silent”. 

The faith of the Canaanite woman was persistent faith:  it seems that nothing could discourage her.  She first met a wall of silence, but kept asking; then she met a rebuff, but she threw herself at the feet of Jesus and she was rewarded. 

-          How persevering is our faith?  Have God been silent in your prayers?  Why do you think he is like that sometimes?  What can we learn from this Canaanite woman? 

Intercession:

1.      For those who are struggling with prayer, that they may be persistent in prayer even in the face of disappointments and failures.

2.      For those who find life burdensome and hard, that they may be strengthened to carry on in faith and courage.

3.      For the young people in the CYA seminar, that they may experience the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives and be great witnesses of the gospel.

4.      For all of us, that through the example of the Canaanite woman, we may learn how to pray and believe in God even if he is silent.      

Covenant Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering, death and resurrection, you give us new life:  a life filled with joy and purpose; a life only you can give it, for you are the source of life.  Guide us on our pilgrimage of life, that following you faithfully as your disciples, we may witness boldly to the world, your love and truth.  Enlighten our minds and hearts that your Word which we read and meditated may take roots in our lives.  Help us not to fall into sin and if we do fall due to our human weakness, bring us back to you for you are the way, the truth and the life. We also pray for all our brothers and sisters, wherever they are, who are committed to this prayer, that their faith may be strengthened, their hope assured and their love fulfilled.  In your name we humbly pray.  Amen.