Wednesday August 4, 2021- Eighteenth week of ordinary time -My soul awaits the Lord, I await his word-Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 15, 21-28

A pagan, non-Jewish woman came out of her homeland, shouting boldly, seeking salvation from Jesus, said to be Jewish, to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus was supposed to bring them together, breaking down the chasm and barrier of separation. It is designed to unite differences of opinion, culture and customs, differences in color and nationality, differences in race and ethnicity, differences in class and culture, differences in political and party color. and many others. Everything is broken, shattered and shattered in the presence of Christ. The distance between her and Jesus did not stop this woman. His people will cry for help. We seem to stumble, unable to see what to do when someone is abusing or oppressing him, not even directly but near him, like a child or spouse or sibling or parent. We can trust God for this. Him and not his creation.

Here again we see the character of the disciple, egocentric, not open to others, so that he expels, withdraws from the Lord, rejects, discriminates, divides, reinforces what we said a few days ago. . But of Christ God: saves, gathers, unites, does not discriminate; yes, although he did not answer directly, but took the course, saying, “I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. So we are all children of God, brothers and sisters, taking sides and discriminating against each other? Let's stay away from that. Even animals like to live among themselves, with the exception of newcomers or strangers; How much more, then, we who are baptized human beings

She didn't stop at that answer, but still came to him and worshiped him, and said, "Lord, save me!" Not only did he need his son to be saved there, but herself, because that son was one with her. But the response was even more poignant: "It's not right to take baby bread and throw it to the dogs." Sometimes coming to the Lord is a test. However, this did not discourage her or prevent her from receiving what she had asked for. She is not offended or resigned or runs away, because some, for various reasons, because some are not promoted to the sacrament immediately but still wait some time. before or after a little effort, there is an immediate desire, but more and more, the woman does not justify herself that she humbled herself before God and dares to say: "It is true, Lord, but the little ones dogs still eat the crumbs from his master's table. "His faith was so great that he obtained what he asked for. But he who humbles himself will be lifted up. He who begs humbly and begs without constraint will receive an answer. Where is our faith in this?

Feast of Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, Curé of Ars, patron saint of priests and we pray for all priests, especially those celebrating the anniversary of his consecration. Amen.