She begged him

She begged him. 

Some of the most emotionally powerful stories in the New Testament feature a parent begging Jesus to touch their child.   From the little girl who was raised from the dead to the epileptic boy, these miracles all took place because parents pushed through the crowd on their child’s behalf.

The Syrophoenician woman in today’s Gospel reading is another example of a persistent parent who sought out Jesus, even when he seemed to want to be left alone.   She pressed Jesus to heal her daughter.   Even when he initially refused her request, she didn’t give up.   She asked again, until Jesus relented and restored the girl.

Since New Testament times, parental guidance and prayers have made all the difference in the lives of countless saints. St. Monica spent years praying for her wayward son, Augustine, before she finally saw her prayers answered in his conversion.   He went on to become one of the great early church fathers. More recently, Louis and Zelie Martin prayed constantly that all of their children would become saints.   Several of their children joined religious life, and their youngest is one of our most beloved saints: Thérèse of Lisieux.

Many of us have been influenced by the prayers of our parents.   And even if you never knew your parents or if your relationship is not what it could be, you can be sure that you have spiritual parents and brothers and sisters praying for you along the way.   Not only do you have your guardian angel, but you also have saints who can relate to your challenges and who are praying for you.   Like the Syrophoenician woman, they are wonderfully persistent in their intercession.   It’s almost as if they won’t take no for an answer, even if the answer came in an unexpected way.

Let’s thank the Lord for our biological and spiritual family members who have prayed for us and mentored us over the years.   You may not know everything about them, and you may not even know who they are, but they have made a difference in your life.   Thank the Lord for these prayer warriors.   Their persistent prayers have made you the person you are today.

word among us