Additional Considerations:
This weekend we hear about the brave Canaanite woman who persevered in prayer and received the healing of her daughter as she requested. She is a model for us of a great multitude of virtues: humility, modesty, prudence, reverence, confidence, ardor, constancy, perseverance, faith, hope, and charity. Can you see these virtues in her? I will expand on the last three.
Jesus Himself said, “O woman, great is your faith!” She believed that He is the Messiah, the “Son
of David,” the Savior that was promised to the Jews, and that He could help her, or more specifically her daughter. She demonstrated hope, by repeatedly petitioning the Lord, not only knowing that He could help, but believing that He would help even though at first Jesus did not indicate that He would help her. She also showed us charity or love, in that she was making this petition for the sake of her daughter, whom she loved as herself as indicated when she said, “Lord, help me.”
of David,” the Savior that was promised to the Jews, and that He could help her, or more specifically her daughter. She demonstrated hope, by repeatedly petitioning the Lord, not only knowing that He could help, but believing that He would help even though at first Jesus did not indicate that He would help her. She also showed us charity or love, in that she was making this petition for the sake of her daughter, whom she loved as herself as indicated when she said, “Lord, help me.”
Let us imitate her, by exercising our own Faith, Hope, and Charity. Although we exercise these
virtues in many ways, one way that I want to present to you is to pray what are called an Act of Faith, Act of Hope, and Act of Charity, which are presented below. Like all prayers that are written for us, we are to have our hearts conform to the words as we pray them.
virtues in many ways, one way that I want to present to you is to pray what are called an Act of Faith, Act of Hope, and Act of Charity, which are presented below. Like all prayers that are written for us, we are to have our hearts conform to the words as we pray them.
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths that the holy Catholic Church teaches, because you have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Act of Hope
O my God, relying on your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.
Act of Charity
O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all-good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.Challenge: Pray all three everyday for a week.
