Prayer and Desire

Day's Saints
Bernard of Clairvaux, Benedictine Cistercian
Amadour the Hermit

Gospel Mt 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.

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The woman in the parable wanted Jesus to deliver her daughter from a demon, and in spite of His rebuff, persisted in calling out to Him. Jesus' response was to deliver the woman's child of the demon. Not many are called to exorcise demons, but we can still offer prayers with the sweet incense of penance and  prayer of atonement for those in the clutches of evil.

If we want peace in the world among nations, then we need to pray for the deliverance of people in the power of evil, oppressed and worse.We should also pray for world peace, healing of climate and weather, and pray for an end of violent and inclement weather that causes people to die in heat, and wildfires that choke the air. 

At the same time we are praying for peace, we should pray for the end of wars. No one needs complain, otherwise, that wars are causing us grief. If we are not willing to pray in accordance with the needs of others crushed in war, then we can expect the same treatment ourselves.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known 
that anyone who fled to thy protection, 
implored thy help, 
or sought thy intercession, 
was left unaided. 
Inspired by this confidence 
I fly unto thee, 
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. 
To thee do I come, 
before thee I stand, 
sinful and sorrowful. 
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions, 
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. 
Amen.