Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 8, 2024

Date:   Thursday of the 5th Week of Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Mark 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today from Mark recounts Jesus’ encounter with the Syrophoenician woman seeking a healing of her daughter possessed by a demon. Initially, Jesus’ response sounds as if he is telling her that He did not come for those not of Israel. But this Gentile woman demonstrated a faith in Jesus’ authority and power. She was rewarded; her daughter was healed. Jesus’ salvific mission is not limited.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I faithfully persistent in my prayer and in my faith in Jesus?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior, You came in to the world so that we might have life and have it in abundance (Jn 10:10). Your selfless sacrifice upon the cross of Cavalry was for the salvation of all humanity through the reconciliation with the Father and victory over sin and death. Send your Spirit to stir within us a faith that does not fade but grows brighter and stronger day by day. Grant that we may be persistent in our journey of faith, hope and love. Make of us worthy disciples of You and daughters and sons of the Beloved Father. Amen.