Author: SHSS
The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
A Story With Many Meanings
There are many ways to understand this story. Jesus Himself, perhaps in His humanity, may have been startled that His message was being accepted by the non-Jewish world. He may also have been coming to realize that His message would have a universal appeal earlier than expected.
The non-Jewish world comes to know Christ through the preaching of Paul and others. Jesus is compassionate, yet this woman is a pagan.
Did she understand that He was more than a miracle worker? Did she understand that faith in Him was necessary? Did she understand that His mission was one of service? Why did Jesus delay in His response to her?
The Lesson of the Nameless Woman
The lesson of the day rests with the nameless woman. She teaches us several aspects of prayer.
She seems to have great faith. Notice that her faith grew during the conversation with Jesus. At first, she calls Him, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy.” This is a messianic title that recognizes Jesus as a leader and a wonder worker. At the end of the Gospel, she addresses Him as “Lord.” Her faith grew.
She had hope even when He would not speak with her. Her prayer was motivated by love. She was asking for healing for her daughter.
Prayer From the Heart
Prayer must be real. Prayer must reflect who we are and what we are feeling. It must be radical, going to the root of our heart.
Prayer need not have the right words; it has to have the right heart. Prayer must express who we really are.
She even braved His rebuke for the sake of her daughter. She loved much. She was persistent. She had courage, and she received her miracle.
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
August 16, 2026
Sunday Readings
The Generosity of God’s Love
Sunday is the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings present us with the generosity God has toward us. In the first reading, from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we hear the invitation of God to all who are thirsty to come to the water. Water is a symbol of life. In the sacred text, water is also a sign of the life of God. In a desert climate, water is seen as a precious commodity.
In the second reading, from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Paul addresses God’s love for us as shown in Christ Jesus. Do you believe that God loves you and wills the best for you? Do you believe that God wills your salvation and your eternal life? The Gospel speaks about the multiplication of loaves and fishes, again illustrating God’s love and generosity toward us.
Nothing Can Separate Us
I would like to address the second reading today. In this reading, Paul states that nothing will separate us from the love of Christ. I have some questions. Do you believe that God loves you? Do you believe God loves you because you have done everything right? Do you believe that you must earn God’s love? How many believe that because many things have gone wrong in your life, God is punishing you? How many believe that God wills our good, not our destruction?
Paul addresses persecuted Christians and all suffering Christians. Notice how Paul breaks up his writing: his first list is of things which impact our personal existence. The second list tells us that even unseen forces in the cosmos cannot separate us from the love of Christ.
God’s Love and Our Response
So, does Christ love us only when we are good? Do our sins stop the love of Christ for us? Do we need to convince God to love us? When we truly realize the love that God has for us, then we will improve our behavior because we do not want to offend the Lord. When we truly realize the love that Christ has for us, we will be impelled to live the life that brings about the Kingdom of God where we are.
Suffering, disappointment, sickness, and difficulties which we may be enduring are not signs that God’s love is wanting. So, what is your greatest worry? Not even that worry or that sin can separate you from Christ.
However, what is the difference between love and approval? God loves us, and God loves you. God may not approve of some of our actions; however, God’s love is everlasting. Parents love us, but parents do not approve of our behavior.
Do you believe God wills our good? Remember, sometimes we do not accept what is for our good. In fact, sometimes we reject it. So where have we rejected the good? God is most generous. He gives his very self even when we say no.
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
August 2, 2026
The Kingdom of God: Hidden Treasure and Precious Pearls
Sunday is the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel continues to speak to us about the Kingdom of God. The Gospel text is Matthew 13:44-52. As we have been hearing for the last three weeks, we are presented with parables that Jesus used to illustrate the Kingdom of God.
A parable is a story Jesus uses to explain a theological point. In this case, Jesus is using parables to explain the Kingdom of God.
What the Kingdom Means
What is meant by the term Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is what God wishes for the world. We pray for the coming of this Kingdom every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, when we say, “Your Kingdom come.”
The Kingdom of God is what God wants for the world. God wants peace, love, kindness, justice, compassion, mercy, empathy, joy, faithfulness, patience, chastity, generosity, gentleness, and self-control. The Kingdom of God is when God’s reign becomes our way of life.
The Kingdom of God comes when we realize that small acts of kindness have the power to change. We must have faith that the will of God for the world is for our good.
Hidden Treasure and Precious Pearls
This week the Gospel presents us with the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Fine Pearls. In both parables, we have a similar lesson: when you find a treasure that calls you forth to give of yourself in love and mercy, forgetting yourself and losing yourself for the good of others, then you will begin to understand the Kingdom of God, as well as the surprising wisdom of God, which says that it is in losing yourself that you find yourself.
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
July 26, 2026