Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 / Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 / Matthew 15:21-28
It is said that technology changes the world and indeed it has.
And in recent times, technology has indeed changed the world, especially in the way we communicate, in the way we work, in the way we learn, in the way we shop, and even in ways we have never thought could happen.
Now there is a surge of online or livestreaming activities, like online worship, online prayers, online weddings, etc.
All this is possible because of the technological advances that enable us to be connected online.
But we must remember that human beings are social beings and there is this inherent need to gather together and meet up face-to-face.
The physical encounter enables a dimension that technology cannot do, and that is, there is a personal encounter.
In the gospel, we hear of a personal encounter as well as a witty conversation.
Jesus came to the region of Tyre and Sidon, and then out came a Canaanite woman shouting: Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.
It was a very respectful request, and we would have expected Jesus to grant that woman her request without hesitation.
But surprisingly, Jesus answered her not a word. And we know what a non-reply means - it means “no” and also don’t bother to ask again.
Instead it was the disciples who intervened as they said: Give her what she wants. But why did the disciple say that. It was because she was shouting after them.
Then Jesus said something about Him being sent to the lost sheep of Israel.
But the woman came up and knelt at His feet with this plea: Lord, help me.
This gospel passage has many things to tell us. There is a lesson on persistence and perseverance. There is a lesson of faith and trust.
But underlying all this is the personal encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, with a lesson on prayer.
Those three prayer words of the Canaanite woman “Lord, help me” is as simple, as profound, as moving, as effective and as personal as prayer can be.
And that is how we should pray - with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction.
So even though we cannot gather physically as a community in prayer, let us pray together online and pray with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction.
Let us have faith in Jesus that when we pray with sincerity, with humility, and with conviction, He will grant us our needs, just as He granted that Canaanite woman her prayer.