💖 HOMILY - FEBRUARY 13 💖

First Reading - Genesis 2:18-25 

Gospel - Mark 7:24-30

We all long for connection. Whether in friendships, family, or marriage, we desire relationships that bring love, support, and understanding. From the very beginning, God placed this longing in our hearts, for we are created to love and be loved. Today’s readings remind us that God’s love is not limited by human boundaries, and He calls us to open our hearts to others in the same way.  

In the first reading, we witness the beauty of God’s design for companionship. After creating man, God sees that "it is not good for man to be alone." So, He forms woman from the man’s side, and when Adam sees her, he recognizes her as part of himself. This passage highlights the sacredness of human relationships, especially marriage, which is built on love, unity, and mutual support. But beyond marriage, it also teaches us that we are not meant to live in isolation. We are created for relationships—with God and with one another.  

The Gospel presents a striking contrast. Jesus travels to a Gentile region and encounters a Syrophoenician woman who begs Him to heal her daughter. At first, Jesus responds in a way that seems dismissive, saying that the children’s food should not be given to the dogs—a phrase reflecting the Jewish view of Gentiles at the time. But the woman does not take offense. Instead, she humbly persists, saying, “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Moved by her faith and determination, Jesus grants her request, showing that God’s mercy is for all people, not just a select group.  

These two readings together teach us a powerful lesson: Love and faith transcend boundaries. In Genesis, God creates relationships to reflect His love, while in the Gospel, Jesus reveals that love is not limited to those who seem most deserving. The woman in the Gospel was an outsider, but her faith brought her close to Jesus.  

This challenges us in two ways. First, do we recognize the importance of relationships in our lives? Do we cherish and nurture them, or do we take them for granted? God wants us to live in love and unity, not in isolation. Whether in marriage, family, or friendship, our relationships should reflect His love.  

Second, do we limit God’s mercy? Sometimes, we think certain people are more worthy of His blessings than others. The Gospel reminds us that faith, not background, is what truly matters. The Syrophoenician woman’s persistence shows us the power of unwavering trust in God.  

Today, let us be grateful for the relationships God has given us. Let us seek to strengthen them with love and faithfulness. And like the woman in the Gospel, may we approach God with trust, knowing that His mercy has no limits.