This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks willtake you to additional translations of today’s readings, other relevant scriptures, and collections of or meditations on scriptures addressing related principles. Text highlighted in yellow tells us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. Text in green tells us about something God wants us to do. Commentary is in blue.
At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be my people.
Thus says the LORD: The people that escaped the sword have found favor in the desert.
As Israel comes forward to be given his rest, the LORD appears to him from afar: with age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.
Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin Israel; carrying your festive tambourines, you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers.
Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits.
Yes, a day will come when the watchmen will call out on Mount Ephraim: “Rise up, let us go to Zion, to the LORD, our God.”
For thus says the LORD: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The LORD has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.
The context of this passage makes it somewhat parallel to today’s gospel; both involve persistence until God manifests His mercy. Jeremiah delivers God’s message to a people who must persevere through a period of great difficulty before what is described here will occur. The woman in today’s gospel must persevere in her entreaties before God’s mercy is delivered. For more on this dynamic see What we can learn from Jairus: Healing can be hard.
Another parallel between this passage and today’s gospel is that both involve the beneficiary of God’s mercy actively seeking God/His intervention. “Israel comes forwardto be given his rest,” and will “Rise up, ... go to Zion, to the LORD, our God” (emphasis added).
A third parallel is that both remind us that there will be good on the other side of our troubles if we are faithful through them.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy. I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
We can be bold in our prayers. This is one of multiple instances where scripture illustrates/discusses boldness in prayer.
- In Genesis 18:16-33 Abraham is bold in his conversation with/requests to God. God is not angry, but grants Abraham’s prayer.
- The same dynamic is present in 1 Samuel 1:4-18. Hannah is upset and ends up “Pouring out [her] soul before Yahweh” v. 15 (New Jerusalem Bible). God does not get mad, but instead answers her prayer.
- David describes that sort of prayer in Psalm 62:8 and Psalm 142:2-3.
- Jesus expressly instructs bold prayer in Luke 11:5-13and Luke 18:1-8.
- Paul, the writer if Hebrews, and James also commend bold prayer. Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 1:5.
This and Jesus’ teachings in Luke 11:5-13 and Luke 18:1-8 illustrate that we must be persistent in our prayer; God sometimes requires us to work towards/wait for His response.
I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel
they shall be my people.
the LORD appears to him from afar
with age-old love I have loved you
I have kept my mercy toward you.
Again I will restore you
you shall be rebuilt
The LORD has delivered his people
The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
gathers them together
he guards them as a shepherd his flock.
The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom
he shall redeem
come streaming to the LORD’s blessings.
The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
I will turn their mourning into joy
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
God has visited his people.
And her daughter was healed from that hour.
Israel comes forward to be given his rest
Rise up, let us go to Zion, to the LORD, our God
Shout with joy for Jacob
exult
proclaim your praise
Hear the word of the LORD
proclaim it
come streaming to the LORD’s blessings.
called out, “Have pity on me, Lord
she keeps calling out
But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
great is your faith
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