Scripture for the day... blog: http:scripmed.blogspot.com

Scripture for August 9, 2006 (Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time): Jeremiah 31:1-7. Psalm Response from Jeremiah 31:10-13; Matthew 15:21-28

I was impressed with the woman mentioned in today's Gospel. She probably was not from Israel but maybe from the area that is now under great stress, Lebanon. She shouts out to Jesus, "Lord, Son of David, have pity on me!" Immediately, I recognized a similarity to the famous Jesus prayer that is used for meditative prayer as a mantra (a sacred word for praying, a watchword or formula for incantation): LORD,JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME. One of my fellow Marianists, a person of prayer, uses this frequently as his form of personal meditation and prayer. As such it is pure prayer and goes right to the heart of the person praying and to God. I myself do not use this prayer very often, but once in a while I feel inclined to pray in this manner. I prefer what is known as "lectio divina"or the slow meditative pondering over a section of Scripture. These reflections are more in the line of such a spiritual reading of the Scripture, a sort of , pondering them over as does the blessed person in Psalm 1. The "Jesus Prayer" helps us to focus and to contemplate in a simple, repetitive, and trusting manner.Today I do feel inclined to pray in this manner this evening. I would like to be in tune with the woman whom Jesus praises, "Woman, you have great faith! Your wish will come to pass."

We continue with our reading of Jeremiah in the firs reading and the Psalm Response is also from Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:10-13). His oracle and prophesy for today is very positive. God is speaking like a spouse to his bride (Israel). God's providence and love will bring the bride back to her home in Israel and Jerusalem. There is also the theme of the "remnant", that is, the small group of people who have been faithful to the covenant; it is they who will restore the homeland. This covenant of love is always there for us and for Israel, the chosen flock of God. Give thanks to the Lord, for his love (HESED)is everlasting.Amen.