A Moment to Pause: Thursday February 12th #podcast #prayer #faith

Good Morning and thank you for joining us again for our time of Reflection and Prayer today. We join Frankie MacDonald, member of the Oblate Lourdes Hospitalite team for today’s short podcast. Today’s Gospel comes again from Chapter 7 of St Mark’s Gospel.  Lets begin.. in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Amen. And lets say the Lord’s prayer together. 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 amen. Today’s gospel relates how Jesus has travelled to the region of Tyre and Sidon . Nowadays that would be modern day Lebanon.  Jesus is approached by a Syrophonecian woman whose little girl was possessed by an unclean spirit.  She was a gentile and despite the cultural differences and customs of that time approached Jesus with great faith because above all she wanted to rid her daughter of the malevolent influence over her.  She was not discouraged when Jesus compared the Gentiles seeking help to pet dogs  for she retorted that even dogs could share the crumbs falling from the masters table.  Her persistence in the face of possible rejection saved her daughter as Jesus declared the little girl free of the demonic influence.  Today let’s keep faith and to continue to ask for God’s grace and healing.  Lord help us to focus on what we need and not simply on what we want. Keep us focused and dedicated to your will as we ask the Holy Spirit to work within us; Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love . Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the Earth. Amen. Thanks again for joining our prayer and reflection today.