Introduction
This Gospel reflection is about the story of Jesus encountering a Canaanite mother with a sick daughter.
The Gospel Account
“Once a mom, always a mom.” The mom is a foreigner, despised by the Jews. She calls out to Jesus asking for pity to heal her child to where his disciples ask Jesus to send her away. The mother approaches Jesus directly, risking the scorn and rejection, to ask for healing. Jesus honors her scrappy faith.
The full text of the Scripture may be found in Matthew 15:21-28.
The Five Decades
When you pray the five decades of this Rosary Reflection, use these five moments from the Gospel story. Read the Gospel verses for each decade and let the words sink in as you pray that decade.
First Decade: A Canaanite Mom Calls to Jesus for Help (Matthew 15:21-22)
Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
Second Decade: Jesus Ignores Her Calls (Matthew 15:23-24)
But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Third Decade: Jesus and the Mom Talk in Person (Matthew 15:25-26)
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
Fourth Decade: The Mom Persists in Asking (Matthew 15:27)
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
Fifth Decade: Jesus Honors the Mom’s Scrappy Faith (Matthew 15:28)
Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, how great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
What to Remember
These Gospel verses reflect the grace and power of Jesus to heal illness, whatever the cause or type. How and when that healing takes place are in God’s hands and timing. Persistence in prayer is a virtue. Once a mom, always a mom.
As a follower of Jesus, you can call upon Jesus repeatedly to heal to your loved ones. The rosary offers 53 times to ask Mother Mary’s prayers. You can also ask the “Saints in Your Corner,” those who have died and abide in God’s glory (your family, friends and the canonized saints), to pray along with you. Ask Jesus to heal your loved one.
Intention and Prayer Circle
The Person I am Asking Jesus to Remember
“Saints in My Corner” Prayer Circle Asking Too:
When This Gospel Appears
This Gospel account in the Gospel reading on the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time in Cycle A of the Lectionary.
* Scripture passages are from the United Conference of Catholic Bishops website, https://usccb.org/bible
