The Bishop’s Sunday Mass Homily on 8 September 2024
Mark 7:24-37
Today’s Gospel, from Mark 7:24-37, offers a profound and challenging story that invites us to reflect on the true nature of faith, perseverance, and worship. It speaks not only of the miracle of healing but also of the heart of worship—the faith that perseveres despite seeming obstacles, and the way God’s love extends to all, beyond barriers of race, class, or nationality.
The Syro-Phoenician woman in today’s Gospel exemplifies worship that starts from the heart. True worship is not about mere external rituals; it is the soul’s cry to God, grounded in humility, love, and faith. In her desperation, she approached Jesus not because she had a right, but because she believed in His boundless mercy. This is where worship truly begins—not in entitlement, but in humble recognition of our need for God.
Jesus, the very paragon of love and kindness, had many enemies who sought to destroy Him. His ministry in the south was threatened because His message of truth exposed the hypocrisy of the proud, the self-righteous, and the arrogant. Yet, in the face of hostility, Jesus never turned away from compassion, especially toward those whom society deemed unworthy. The sinners, the outcasts, and, as we see today, the Gentiles—all were within the reach of His love.
At this point in His ministry, Jesus had traveled north to escape the growing threats in the south, finding Himself among the Syro-Phoenicians, a non-Jewish people. And it is here that we witness a remarkable encounter with a non-Jewish woman—a mother whose child was suffering. Her persistence in begging Jesus for mercy speaks volumes. She didn’t come just once; she kept begging, pleading for her daughter’s healing. But then, something unexpected happens: Jesus responds with words that, on the surface, seem insulting. He says, “I came for the Jews, not for the non-Jews.”
But let us pause here and reflect—was Jesus really insulting her? No. His words were a challenge, meant to test and reveal the depth of her faith. And the woman, undeterred, responds with a statement that echoes through the centuries as a testimony of profound faith: “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” In this simple yet powerful reply, she acknowledged her unworthiness but held firm in her belief that even the smallest act of mercy from Jesus would be enough. Her faith was not shaken by apparent rejection. Instead, it was strengthened by her humility and tenacity.
In this exchange, we see that Jesus’ mission was never exclusive. Yes, He came to the Jews first, but His love was always meant to extend to the entire world. When Jesus died on the cross, He didn’t die for just one group; He died for all humanity. No one was left out. His love is universal, and it reaches even the Gentile woman who begged for crumbs of grace.
What we see in this encounter is the revelation of the woman’s faith in three ways. First, she was moved by parental love, a love that knew no bounds and would stop at nothing to seek healing for her child. Second, she was driven by desperation—a desperation that often brings us closer to God, stripping away pride and pretensions. And finally, she was determined, showing a tenacity of spirit that would not let go, even when challenged. She persisted, not out of stubbornness, but out of a deep trust in Jesus’ goodness. This is the kind of faith that can move mountains.
And yet, this Gospel also raises a critical question for all of us: What happens when we feel like God is silent or distant? When our prayers seem unanswered? The Syro-Phoenician woman gives us the answer—perseverance. She shows us that even when it seems like God is not responding, we must continue to trust, to pray, and to act. This is not passive faith but active faith, the kind described in Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” And it is this very faith that, even if as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains.
However, faith is not enough on its own. As St. James reminds us, faith without works is dead. We cannot simply pray and expect God to do all the work. Our prayers must be accompanied by action. If we say we believe in God’s promises, we must also live in a way that reflects that belief. If you pray for God’s guidance, then act with the trust that He is leading you. If you have faith that God will provide, then live in a way that shows you trust Him.
This brings us to the importance of Scripture. You cannot live by faith if you do not know the promises of God. How can we claim to have faith in God if we do not read His Word? The Bible is a book of promises—a legacy of hope and direction given to us. But if we don’t immerse ourselves in Scripture, how will we ever know these promises? How will we have the strength to persevere when times are tough? I’d rather be naked in the desert with a Bible, trusting in the Word of God, than clothed in riches without faith. Faith is not about appearances; it is about holding on to God’s promises, even when all else seems lost.
In closing, let us remember that faith is both belief and action. Like the Syro-Phoenician woman, we must come to Jesus with humble hearts, trusting in His mercy and goodness, even when the answer is delayed or seems difficult to understand. And like her, we must persevere in our faith, knowing that God’s love extends to all and that no one is excluded from His grace.
So, as we leave here today, let us take up the challenge of faith. Let us be persistent in our prayers, diligent in reading God’s Word, and active in living out the promises we claim to believe. Worship begins in the heart—a heart moved by love, desperation, and tenacity. May we all have the courage to worship God in spirit and in truth, and to live out our faith, not just in words, but in deeds.
Lesson Drawn from the Homily:
Today’s Gospel from Mark 7:24-37 presents a story that teaches us about faith, perseverance, and the essence of worship. The Syro-Phoenician woman exemplifies how true worship begins in the heart, not from entitlement, but from a humble recognition of our need for God. Jesus, though a figure of love and compassion, faced opposition due to His exposure of hypocrisy. As He traveled north to avoid threats in the south, He encountered the persistent faith of this Gentile woman. Despite Jesus’ initial response that seemed dismissive, the woman’s humility and tenacity shone through as she continued to beg for mercy. Jesus’ reply was not meant to insult but to test her faith, which she demonstrated by saying, “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
Through this story, we are reminded that God’s love is universal, extending beyond cultural and racial boundaries. The woman’s faith was driven by parental love, desperation, and determination, qualities that exemplify how we should approach God, especially in times of silence or uncertainty. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God, and we are reminded that faith without works is dead. Scripture is crucial for knowing God’s promises, and true faith must be accompanied by action. Just as the Syro-Phoenician woman persisted in her trust in Jesus, we must likewise persevere in faith, prayer, and action, knowing that God’s grace extends to all who seek Him with sincerity.
Review Questions Relevant to the Lesson:
1. What is the central theme of today’s Gospel from Mark 7:24-37?
2. How does the Syro-Phoenician woman demonstrate true worship?
3. Why did Jesus initially respond to the woman with words that seemed harsh?
4. What did the woman mean by saying, “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs”?
5. What three characteristics of faith does the Syro-Phoenician woman exemplify?
6. What does the story reveal about the scope of Jesus’ mission?
7. What lesson does the Gospel offer when we feel like God is silent or distant?
8. According to Hebrews 11:6, what is necessary to please God?
9. What does St. James teach us about faith and works?
10. Why is it important to read the Bible according to the homily?