This Sunday our gospel hails from St. Matthew (15:21-28), in which we hear of the account of the Canaanite woman who approached Jesus and called out to Him: “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is tormented by a demon.” In this short statement and powerful action, she broke from the social rules of the day, yet she did it out of love, and deep faith—belief in Christ—and for her persistence!   

And Jesus eventually rewards her faith: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” 

Love: the woman loved her daughter and was willing to risk everything socially that the local   culture and social norms would say “don’t do” because of the love she has for her child. This is a symbol of Divine Love, which seeks the excellence of the other, and is an earthly representation of God’s Love and desire f0r us. We may disappoint our mother and father-God-but all three will not stop loving us. 

Deep Faith: The Canaanite woman illustrates her deep faith and belief in God. She had to have knowledge of who God is, and of His love for her and all peoples. In the same way, you and I are called to believe in God by knowing Him and to understand Sacred Scripture, the Word made flesh as  well as to   understand the teachings of the Church. Like the mantra I mentioned a few weekends ago: Believe it. Live it. Share it. All are called to put in the appropriate time and effort to know who the Lord is, and to bring that knowledge of Him to acquire and to actively desire to live it out in our daily lives. The Canaanite wom an did. And was rewarded. 

Persistence: The Catholic faith is not a one-and-done situation. Baptism is not the end. It is the beginning. We then need to receive Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation; if marriage— then in Holy Matrimony; Ordination to the Priesthood; and, the Anointing of the Sick. So too our faith: our faith journey is not one kind or charitable action, it is a way-of-life; our   prayer life is not one Hail Mary or Our Father, it is a life of prayer, a way of prayer—a relationship with God that leads to a desire to want to communicate and converse with Him…like a best friend, we want the relationship to be ongoing. Our L0ve f0r God is not a once-for-all “I Love You Jesus,” rather it is a growing relationship, a unitive love that leads us right up to and into the Gates of Heaven. Persistence is the   ongoing and complete action of Believing Him. Living Him. Sharing Him forever. 

This is why faith formation cannot be for the Sacramental years only. This is why faith formation does not end at Confirmation. It is why Youth Ministry engagement, Bible Studies, Catholic Podcasts, Men’s and Women’s Ministries, Choirs, participation in Feed the Hungry, Pantry Partners, Street   Sandwich Ministry or Comitas, Prayer Shawl, Bereavement, or any other Catholic ministry is vital to the gift of deepening faith and a lived-faith experience for our eternal salvation. We are not a one-and-done kind of people…we are Eternal People…and it is ongoing and forever and ever. Amen! And while Betty   Davis might not have meant this, “It’s a bumpy ride...” at times, the Port to which we are heading is a safe, an eternal and smooth harbor! So, sail in…and drop anchor in the deep waters of faith as St. John Paul II would advise.