The faith of the phoenician woman

Gospel

Mark 7:24-30

The astuteness of the Syro-Phoenician woman

Jesus left Gennesaret and set out for the territory of Tyre. There he went into a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not pass unrecognised. A woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him straightaway and came and fell at his feet. Now the woman was a pagan, by birth a Syrophoenician, and she begged him to cast the devil out of her daughter. And he said to her, ‘The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ But she spoke up: ‘Ah yes, sir,’ she replied ‘but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.’ And he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go home happy: the devil has gone out of your daughter.’ So she went off to her home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.

Reflection:

Jesus initially seems to refuse the Syro-Phoenician woman’s plea, testing her faith. Instead of turning away, she meets his challenge with humility and wit, accepting her place yet trusting in God’s overflowing grace. In her bold persistence, Jesus sees genuine faith—not restricted by nationality or ritual—and grants her request. This encounter reminds us that God’s mercy is wider than we imagine, often revealed through humble, persistent hearts that trust in his goodness even when met with silence or trial.

Question:

Where in my life is God inviting me to persist in faith with both humility and bold trust?

Prayer:

Lord, give me the humble perseverance of this faithful woman. Help me to trust that your mercy is abundant, even when I feel undeserving. May I approach you with a sincere heart, believing in your power to heal and restore. Amen.

Comments

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