Scripture Scribbles: August 20, 2023

the Gospel

Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out,
"Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
My daughter is tormented by a demon."
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus' disciples came and asked him,
"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."
He said in reply,
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me."
He said in reply,
"It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish."
And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

the devotion

I awaken in the darkness. The crackling of the baby monitor broadcasts the moans and cries of a feverish, uncomfortable child.

“St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle…”

The battle begins between the desire to sleep and the call to take care of my helpless babe.

This is where Faith and the Cross meet. Like the woman in today's Gospel, I beg in desperation for my child to be healed, but mostly for me to be healed of the demons of selfishness and attachment to a good night’s sleep.

I imagine the woman on her knees pleading to Jesus for but a scrap of His love because that would be enough to heal.

Her faith is incredible and as difficult as her situation is, she’s brought to a deeper surrender.

She knows she needs Him and only Him.

So I kneel next to my child’s bed, refusing to leave his side with the Faith that Jesus is keeping me awake to experience the sacrificial love I’m called to as a mother.

May the woman’s example of reckless trust in the Lord, who has pity on her, draw us closer to Him in our battles. 

Today’s devotion is written by Diana Giard