5th Week in Ordinary Time (Year A) : Thursday 9th February 2023

The word ‘snowflakes’ describes people who are self-entitled, emotionally fragile, and easily offended. They view the world through their feelings.

Psychologists observe this to be especially true among an ‘overprotected’ generation of men and women. The  Syrophoenician woman in the Gospel was far removed from this class. She was disadvantaged in status and creed. How so? Firstly, she was a woman; secondly, a pagan; and thirdly, her daughter was possessed and therefore unclean. But as a mother, her love for her daughter knew no bounds. Determined to seek help for the latter’s healing, she willingly engaged with Jesus and even countered His piercing remarks with humour. Not knowing the outcome of this encounter, she put her faith above her feelings, remaining humble and resolute. Despite Jesus’ seemingly sharp rebukes, she did not complain, rebel or wallow in self-pity.

In short, she was no snowflake. She was firmly focused on Jesus, believing that only He had the power to deliver her daughter from evil. He saw her perseverance, persistence and patience and gifted her with the grace of healing her beloved daughter.

This gritty and devoted woman shows us the disposition we should adopt when approaching the Lord in prayer. Am I capable of persisting in prayer even when it seems Our Lord is turning a deaf ear?

Lord, let me not rely on my feelings in loving You but remain firm in my convictions and humble in my pleas to You. Grant me the grace to trust that You will give only what is good for me.