“THE LORD HAS SAVED HIS PEOPLE, THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL” (Jer 31:7)

⏰Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time 2 (08 August 2018 – Memorial of St. Dominic)

📖Jer 31:1-7; Jer 31:10, 11-12ab, 13 (R.v.10d); Matt 15:21-28

Yesterday, we reflected on the overwhelming mercy of God which compels him to still love us not minding our waywardness. Once we turn around and come back to him, he is ever ready to welcome us into his warm embrace and make our lives better.

The prophet Jeremiah tells us what awaits those who are courageous enough to make that journey back to God. God will be there God and save them. That is hope rekindled but only those with faith will ply the road.

The Catechism of the Christian Doctrine defines faith as “a supernatural gift of God, which enables us to believe without doubting whatever God has revealed.” That is in line with the words of the Scriptures in Heb 11:1, “Faith is the guarantee of the things we hope for, and the certainty of the things that we do not see.” The Canaanite woman in Matt 15:21-28 understood that very well and so nothing could deter her from pressing on Jesus to attend to her need. She succeeded.

My dear, nothing would stop Jesus from moving away even a mountain before you (cf. Matt 17:21) if only you would have faith in him. Never consider the magnitude of your problem against the power of God because his hands are never too short to save (cf. Isa 59:1).

St. Dominic, whose memorial we celebrate today was the founder of the Order of Preachers, a congregation whose major apostolate is preaching the gospel through different means like education, social works, health care, etc. He was a man of great faith who always believed that God would never let him down. And that worked for him; it can also work for you.

May his mighty hands deliver you from the giants that threaten your progress and uproot whatever barrier that threatens your salvific union with Christ. Amen.

Happy feast day to all the Dominicans. And have a great day ahead. Peace be with you.