She Wouldn’t Give Up, And Neither Should We
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Have you ever prayed for something with all your heart and wondered if God was listening? Perhaps you have prayed for a sick loved one, a child or grandchild who has drifted from the faith, healing in your family, or peace in a difficult situation. Sometimes we pray for weeks, months, or even years, and begin to wonder: Lord, are You hearing me?
This Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 15:21–28) gives us a beautiful answer. It reminds us that God hears the prayer of a heart that refuses to give up.
We meet a Canaanite woman who comes to Jesus with one simple request: “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” She is a foreigner, someone outside the people of Israel, yet she approaches Jesus with remarkable courage and faith.
At first, Jesus does not answer her. Then the disciples want her sent away. Even when Jesus speaks of His mission to Israel, she does not leave. She kneels before Him and says, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
Jesus responds: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” Her daughter was healed.
What a beautiful reminder: keep bringing your needs to Jesus. Keep trusting Him. Keep praying.
When Prayer Feels Difficult
Many people in our parish carry prayers that have been with them for years. Perhaps you are praying for a child or grandchild to return to the Church, for healing, reconciliation, strength in marriage, or comfort in grief.
The Canaanite woman reminds us that we do not need to have all the answers before coming to Jesus. She simply came with her need and her love for her daughter. That was enough.
Persistence in prayer is itself an act of faith. Each time we return to God, we are saying, “Lord, I still trust You. I believe You hear me. I place this person and this situation into Your hands.”
St. Monica gives us the same example. For many years, she prayed for the conversion of her son Augustine. Her prayers were not answered quickly, but she never gave up. In time, Augustine returned to the faith, was baptized, and became one of the Church’s greatest saints.
Her story reminds us: God’s timing may be different from ours, but His love never fails.
God’s House Is Open to All
The Reading from Isaiah (56:1, 6–7) reminds us that God’s mercy extends to all peoples: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
The Canaanite woman shows us this promise in action. She was a foreigner, yet she came to Jesus in faith and received His mercy.
No one is beyond God’s reach. We should never assume that someone is too far away to return to God or to His Church.
God Has Not Given Up on Anyone
St. Paul (Romans 11:13–15, 29–32) reminds us that “the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” God’s love is not something He takes back when we fail.
For those praying for loved ones who have drifted from the faith, this is especially important:
Do not give up on them. God has not.
Let us continue to pray, continue to love, continue to be patient. We may not know when or how God will work, but we can trust that He is always at work.
A Word of Hope
The Canaanite woman came to Jesus with nothing but her need, her love for her daughter, and her faith. She could have walked away when the answer did not come immediately. Instead, she stayed, trusted, and asked again.
Her story reminds us that when prayer feels difficult, we do not have to give up.
If you have been praying for someone for years, keep praying.
If you have been waiting for healing, keep trusting.
If someone you love has wandered from the faith, keep loving.
If God seems silent, keep coming to Him.
We may not always understand God’s timing, but we can always trust His heart. The God who heard the Canaanite woman’s cry hears yours, too.
So bring your prayers to the Lord once again.
She wouldn’t give up—and neither should we.
May God strengthen our faith, renew our hope, and teach us to trust Him more deeply each day and help us to make our parish a more welcoming one.
Three Ways to Live This Message
1. Keep praying: Bring that person or situation to Jesus again this week, by name, and trust that He hears you.
2. Pray with others: Bring your intentions to Mass, light a candle, or ask someone you trust to join you in prayer.
3. Welcome someone home: A kind word, a listening ear, or a simple invitation to Mass may help someone take a step back toward God.