Universal Utterings®
for August 7, 2024
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08-07-2024 Matthew 15 V-2228 The Eucharist the Scraps of Divinity
The Book of Matthew 15 v- 22 thru 28
22 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.” 23 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.” 24 He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” 28 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.
The passage in Matthew 15:22-28 and the Eucharist can be connected through themes of faith, inclusion, and the breaking of barriers, although the connection is not immediately apparent. Here’s how they interrelate:
Faith and Persistence
In Matthew 15:22-28, the Canaanite woman demonstrates remarkable faith and persistence despite Jesus’ initial silence and the apparent rebuke. Her belief that Jesus can heal her daughter is unwavering. Similarly, the Eucharist is an act of faith for Catholics. Believers approach the sacrament with the conviction that they are partaking in the body and blood of Christ, which requires a deep-seated faith in Jesus’ promise and presence.
Inclusion and Breaking Barriers
The Canaanite woman’s story highlights the breaking of ethnic and cultural barriers. Initially, Jesus emphasizes His mission to the “lost sheep of Israel,” but He ultimately responds to the woman’s faith, transcending the cultural divide between Jews and Gentiles. The Eucharist also embodies this message of inclusion. It is a sacrament open to all baptized Catholics, symbolizing the unity of believers regardless of their background. The Eucharist serves as a reminder that Jesus’ sacrifice and grace extend beyond any human-made boundaries.
Humility and Recognition of Need
The woman’s humility in accepting her position while still seeking Jesus’ mercy parallels the attitude Christians are encouraged to have when approaching the Eucharist. Recognizing one’s own unworthiness and yet seeking God’s grace is a key component of the Eucharistic celebration. The faithful come to the table acknowledging their sins and shortcomings, yet they receive the sacrament as a means of grace and spiritual nourishment.
The Bread of Life
While the term “bread” is used metaphorically in Matthew 15:26 to refer to the blessings meant for the Israelites, the Eucharist concretizes this metaphor. Jesus is often referred to as the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35), and the Eucharist is a tangible expression of this concept. The Canaanite woman’s willingness to accept even the “crumbs” can be seen as a precursor to the inclusive nature of the Eucharist, where Jesus offers Himself as the spiritual sustenance for all who believe.
In summary, the Eucharist and Matthew 15:22-28 are connected through themes of faith, humility, inclusion, and the breaking down of barriers. Both the sacrament and the passage underscore the expansive reach of God’s grace and the importance of faith in accessing that grace. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
08-07-2024 Matthew 15 V-2228
**The Eucharist the Scraps of Divinity**
In a land where faith and borders blend,
A Canaanite woman did ascend,
With a plea so desperate, raw, and real,
“Lord, Son of David, hear my appeal.”
Her daughter, gripped by a darkened plight,
She sought the Savior, the beacon of light.
“Have mercy,” she cried, her heart laid bare,
But silence first met her earnest prayer.
Yet faith is a flame that refuses to die,
Her pleas soared again, reaching the sky.
“I am sent to the lost sheep of Israel’s fold,”
He spoke, His mission to uphold.
But she, like a whisper, persistent and small,
Knelt down, embodying humility’s call.
“Lord, help me,” she implored with grace,
Hope unwavering in her tear-streaked face.
“It isn’t right,” He said, “to give children’s bread,
To dogs,” a harsh truth, a cultural thread.
Yet she answered, with wisdom so profound,
“Even dogs eat crumbs that fall to the ground.”
Great faith, He proclaimed, in her eyes He saw,
A faith that transcended any man-made law.
“Your request is granted,” and healing was found,
Grace extending far beyond the Jewish ground.
In the Eucharist, we see this tale retold,
Bread and wine, mysteries unfold.
Faith and humility, keys to the feast,
Where all are welcomed, greatest to least.
The body and blood, symbols of love,
Uniting the faithful under skies above.
No barriers here, no walls to divide,
In this sacred meal, all can abide.
Approach with faith, like the woman so bold,
With hearts open, let the story be told.
For in every crumb, every sacred bite,
We find Jesus’ promise, eternal and bright.
In Eucharistic grace, her story we see,
Faith that breaks barriers, setting souls free.
From Canaanite cries to the altar we come,
One in Christ, our souls’ true home. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
August 7, 2024 @ 06:23 AM EST
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