Thursday 11 February

Our Lady of Lourdes (OM)

World Day of Prayer for the Sick

Genesis 2:18-25; Psalm 128:1-5; Mark 7:24-30

A Gentile faith, humility, and love

How would you feel if someone called you a dog? The Syrophoenician mother in today’s gospel demonstrated faith, humility and love. She accepted her gentile status of ‘nothing’, as a ‘house dog’ in Israel. Yet her concern for her sick daughter drove her to claim Jesus’ compassionate healing. Touched by her faith and humility Jesus healed her daughter immediately. Our Lady of Lourdes, whose feast is today, has all these qualities. Do we have them too? We are invited to be united with Our Lady to pray for the sick in our world.