Jeremiah 31:1-7, Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 15:21-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people. Lk 7:16
Jeremiah 31:1-7, Jeremiah 31:10-13, 
Matthew 15:21-28


Jeremiah 31:1-7

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Once again the prophet Jeremiah speaks of God's never-ending, abiding love for His people. Although they deserved to be punished for abandoning God and worshipping false gods, yet, God desires to show His mercy and forgiveness always. 

While Jeremiah is prophesying about the tribes of Israel we know that this prophecy is for all nations. You lay down Your life for us so that all may be saved and come to the knowledge of Truth. The world seems to have succumbed to the wiles of the Enemy. We seem to have abandoned divine wisdom. We seem to have lost our way yet, we know that You are always with us. Even when You are not visible You are still Emmanuel. Your love is from ever-lasting to ever-lasting. You will draw to Yourself people from every tribe, every nation, every language for we have been created for You.

Thank You for this wonderful prophecy which will be fulfilled. Your Church is a beacon for the world and You will watch over her. Every promise will be realized:

Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt,
O virgin Israel;
Carrying your festive tambourines,
you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers.
Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits.
Yes, a day will come when the watchmen
will call out on Mount Ephraim:
"Rise up, let us go to Zion,
to the LORD, our God."

For thus says the LORD:
Shout with joy for Jacob,
exult at the head of the nations;
proclaim your praise and say:
The LORD has delivered his people,
the remnant of Israel.
Jeremiah 31:10-13

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You are our Good Shepherd. You lay down Your life for sheep and You continue to guard her against the wiles of the Enemy. You have redeemed us. You have ransomed us with the spilling of Your innocent Blood. Even though we continue to stray, You will not permit us to be lost forever for Your mark is imprinted on our soul in Baptism. Only those who truly desire to give themselves over to evil will be lost because they choose to abandon You. You never abandon Your Own especially those who desire to make their home in You.

Our life in this valley of tears is only for a little while. You will turn our mourning into joy and gladness. In the end, Your Love will prevail.

Matthew 15:21-28

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Once again we see that there are no Jews and Gentiles, You came to seek and save not only the lost sheep of Israel but the whole world. When the Canaanite woman, an outsider, cried out to You to have pity on her and heal her daughter who was possessed by an evil spirit, her cry pierced Your heart and moved You to pity and compassion. However, You never passed up an opportunity to reveal a greater truth to those around You. 

You were aware that the woman had faith and courage enough to move mountains but those around You didn't. Your apostles saw her as a nuisance and wanted You to get rid of her. However, she persisted, she approached You, she was not rebuffed when You that You had come only for the lost sheep of Israel, but said to You directly and plainly, "Lord, help me." What You said in reply would have sounded cruel to those around You, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." But nothing would stop this mother from pleading for her child. She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." 

Here is a lesson teaching us all how to make our needs known to You. We are called to be persistent and to pray with faith and confidence certain that You will give us all we ask for and more.

Just as the sinner who broke the alabaster jar and anointed Your feet with precious nard will be remembered for all time so will this Canaanite woman who dared to ask for what she wanted and received it.