The Gospel reading pictures a Canaanite woman with great faith, “‘Woman, how great is your faith! Let it be as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.”
In life we encounter many rejections, trials and sufferings which oftentimes put us down. Faith in God gives us hope, heals us and helps us to move on. Super-typhoon Yolanda destroyed property and livelihood, took away lives and devastated families and communities. It is amazing to hear stories of so many who did not lose hope, of victims who clung to their faith in a good God, who turned to God in prayer as they tried to make sense of what had befallen them. They gathered in damaged churches and chapels to ask for God’s help. In the words of a survivor, “The Lord has strengthened our faith and made us stronger in order for us to survive and start all over again.”
Indeed God is there. He touched the hearts of so many, fellow countrymen and those from other nations, and they responded with their concern and help. The outpouring of God’s love and blessings was made manifest in the generosity and care of so many who gave help.
We all have our pains and sufferings. If, like the Canaanite woman, we persevere in our prayer, everything will be possible with God’s help.
