💖 HOMILY - FEBRUARY 9 💖

First Reading - Genesis 2:18-25 

Gospel - Mark 7:24-30

Our achievements and successes give us a feeling of being someone special in the sight of others. That's great! However, we are reminded today by the readings that we shouldn't be proud and arrogant because of what we have achieved and gained but let our attitude be always of a humble person. The virtue of humility is also required to approach God.

In the first reading, we can notice two important events; firstly, naming of all things by the man which shows his authority over the created things. The authority does mean here to guarantee an arbitrary manipulation of power but sharing in the power of God with accountability. The second event shows how God notices that man doesn't have a suitable companion for himself, therefore, He forms the woman from the man himself. This event shows that a man and a woman share a mutual compatibility. They complete each other. This passage also eventually underlines the relationship of marriage to be seen as mutual respect, love, and companionship unlike of dominion, superiority, pride, and arrogance. 

The gospel demonstrates a beautiful example of humble faith of a gentile woman. This example of humility occurs in gentile territory as Jesus was through the land of Tyre. The conversation between Jesus and the woman represents two different attitudes; one of authority and the other of humility. The woman recognizes the authority and power of Jesus. She comes and falls on her knees for the healing of her child who was possessed. Apparently, it seems as if Jesus disdained her by comparing her with 'house-dogs'. The word ‘dog’ was a contemptuous word commonly used by Jews for gentiles. But to one familiar with the oriental world will certainly notice that Jesus is not belittling her rather provoking her; it is like the bargaining which goes on in the market – a game enjoyed by both sides. After all, Abraham even bargained with God over the number of the righteous needed for Sodom to be spared (Genesis 18.23-32)! The woman shoots back a smart repartee, and Jesus grants her request. It is not unlike the scene of Jesus and the Samaritan woman teasing each other (John 4.8-24), and a valuable reminder both of Jesus’ humour and of his frank and open relationship with women.

The emphasis must be given on the attitude of the woman who stood firm despite such contemptuous word used for her; she still remained humble before Jesus. It's her humility that wins the heart of Jesus and Jesus consequently grants her wishes.

Dear friends, our achievements, success, talents, skills and possession (money, physical strength, knowledge, position) etc. inflate us. We feel as if we were the controllers of everything but the fact is, it's not so. It's our pride that makes us feel superior and controller of everything. Human pride is deceptive. The first reading suggests that authority is to be exercised with responsibility and humility. The virtue of humility is also required in our relationship as well. However, we also need to know that humility is not submission but giving due respect and acknowledgment to the other. This is indeed required in our relationship as well.

On the other side, we find another aspect of humility in our daily spiritual journey as demonstrated by the pagan woman who finally found favour with Jesus because of her humble faith. It's our humble faith or humility that can find favour with God and not our pride as the Proverbs 16:5 says - "The Lord detests all the proud of heart."

What do we possess that we can carry along after death? Neither material things nor any social recognition but only ourselves with the treasure we have earned in heaven. This must make us humble before God for we are nothing but His creatures. 

Let's approach God with our humble faith and pure soul that we may always enjoy God's presence and favour.