From Our Associate Pastor
I have always had a great fascination with superheroes, Saints, and all those who do extraordinary things. But when it comes to the love of a mother for her children, it really is admirable. I remember that when I was in high school, I had a classmate who was the son of a single mother. At the time, being a single mother was very frowned upon by society. And what made her situation worse is that she worked in a bar as a bartender. On one occasion her son and other students got into trouble and they wanted to expel them from school.
There was a meeting with the directors and the parents’ association. The discrimination on the part of the board of directors towards this mother and her son was evident. I have never in my life seen a mother defend her son with such courage and zeal, to the point of not caring that she was humiliated in the process. In the end, they decided to give him one more chance.
If we pay attention to the Gospels there are many cases where non-Jewish people impress us with their response of faith before Jesus, and how they are able to recognize Jesus’ divinity even better than the Jews themselves.
The Gospel has shown us that, in Jesus, we all have an opportunity. From those, we consider unworthy to those who do not accept God in their lives. Whatever our origin, beliefs, culture, and way of life. God does not abandon anyone; He does not close doors. God continues to offer his promises and gifts of salvation to all; valuing and respecting the free choices of each person. Nobody is excluded. He only expects a “yes” from us: the “yes” of persevering faith that is full of confidence. A faith that wants to be transformed so that God can work through our hearts
The Canaanite woman was convinced that Jesus could heal her daughter. We know that only He can make our lives change. With Jesus, horizons open up for all who seek liberation and new life.
Today’s Good News invites us to open our hearts to the principle of universality; to break down borders and to overcome all kinds of exclusions and discrimination. Let us beat the prejudices and obstacles that so often confront and separate human beings. The message is clear: we are invited to promote relationships of openness, solidarity and offer a generous welcome.
Peace, Br. Salvador Mejia, OFM
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