“Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon... A Canaanite woman cried out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me' and Jesus said, 'It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs,' but commended her faith and granted her request.”
A Wednesday Mass honoring the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Readings highlight God’s steadfast, restorative love (Jeremiah) and the Gospel account of the Canaanite woman whose persistent, motherly faith wins Jesus’ healing. The homily connects the basilica’s story and Mary’s example to three invitations: reflect on how a mother’s love shaped your life, how it lifts you up, and how it remains steadfast even when rejected. The liturgy emphasizes Eucharistic worship, prayer for the Church and the dead, and a call to echo Mary’s ‘yes.’
“The Lord spoke to me out of Matthew 15:21-28; I would just like us to read this parable.”
Dr. Teresa Conlon uses the butterfly-plant metaphor and Matthew 15:21–28 (the Canaanite woman) to challenge narrow or stagnant theology, urging listeners to let Jesus expand their vision of his heart, grace, and ability to heal even in unlikely or desperate situations.
“The Canaanite woman pleads for her child and Jesus initially says he wasn't sent for her people; she replies, 'even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table.'”
Pastor Allen Jackson teaches that miracles and divine healing are part of Jesus’ ongoing ministry and invites believers to actively pursue God’s supernatural involvement through faith, prayer, Scripture, and community, using Matthew 8 as his primary illustration.
“A woman with a sick child brought her to Jesus; he did not answer her and seemed to reject her, yet she worshiped him and kept pleading.”
A sermon addressing long seasons of unanswered prayer framed around the four “How long?” questions in Psalm 13. The preacher explains why God may seem silent, calls believers to persistent prayer and trust in God’s mercy, and urges humility, worship, and faithful obedience while waiting. The message closes with the gospel invitation (believe, repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit) and practical church announcements.
