THE FEAST OF SAINTS CAJETAN AND SIXTUS II AND COMPANION MARTYRS.
Feast OF SAINTS SIXTUS II & COMPANION MARTYRS & CAJETAN, PRIEST AND FOUNDER.
"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 Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
"Jesus’ 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 Jesus 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 the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15: 21 - 28).
Wednesday 7th August 2024 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Cajetan, Priest and Founder of a Religious Order.
St Cajetan, Priest and Founder of the Theatines was born in 1480 and died in 1547. He was canonized by Pope Clement X.
St Cajetan was very dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary who bestowed upon him many favors. Called a "Saint" from his childhood, he never slackened in desire for holiness.
To renew the lives of the Clergy, he formed the Congregation of Clerks Regular, known as the Theatines. Cajetan was the first to introduce the Forty Hours' Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as an antidote to the heresy of Calvinism.
Today is also the feast of St Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr and his companion martyrs. (+ 258).
Sixtus with four of his deacons were captured at the Altar while celebrating Mass and beheaded at the order of Emperor Valerian.
In our Gospel of today, (Matthew 15:21 '28), Jesus tested the faith of the Canaanite Woman. Jesus wants to take her faith to a new level. The Canaanite Woman passed the test in flying colors.
How did the Canaanite woman got such expectant and persistent faith?
Her desperate need opened her mind to the all powerful, merciful and mysterious Providence of God who is the Father of all people. Everyone can develop a strong faith through the practice of prayer and listening to the word of God.
God could NEVER say NO to any prayer. God promises:
"Ask and you will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you."
Then God adds: "Whoever asks shall receive..."
In another passage God promises that "Whatever you ask for shall be given you..."
For God to say No to a Prayer will be DIVINE INJUSTICE. God is not capable of being unjust. It is one of the greatest lies of Satan to convince us that God is a Liar. Satan insinuates that God never answers all our prayers.
In the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18: 1 - 8, Jesus calls failure to answer prayers by God an act of injustice. Read the text below:
"Because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily."
Jesus boosted the faith of the Canaanite Woman.
"Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
"And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour." (Cf Matthew 15: 21 - 28).
August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
“We have in heaven the heart of a Mother, the Virgin, our Mother, who at the foot of the cross suffered as much as possible for a human creature, understands our trouble.” (St Jerome).
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
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