20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Today’s Gospel passage surprises us with Jesus’s seemingly cold words and actions. It says that even when a mother whose daughter was possessed by an evil spirit pleaded with Him about her suffering, “Jesus did not say a word in reply.”

I believe there are two key points to this story. The first is “entrusting ourselves to God.” When we think we are living by our own strength, we probably don’t understand even half of what life is truly about. However, by being helped and supported by others, we come to understand that life is about helping and supporting one another, and we become more humble. We also learn to love others. Through this process, we come to feel more deeply the grace that our very lives are a gift from God, and that we are sustained and kept alive by Him.

Of course, our lives require us to work, think, and strive on our own. However, those who entrust the foundation of their lives not only to their own strength but also to God’s power find hope and comfort.

Another important point concerns “the figure of the mother.” A mother is the first love that God has entrusted to our lives. Behind a mother’s smile lies strength, and behind her prayers lie miracles. A mother does not merely give birth to us; she teaches us the meaning of selfless love, boundless patience, and sacrifice without expectation of reward. A mother’s sincerity is a light in the darkness of life. A mother’s love is the wings that guide us toward our dreams. A mother is our first home, our first teacher, and our first love. A mother’s love is a miracle that keeps our hearts warm even on cold days. Even when the world feels far away, a mother is always the closest harbor to which we can return.

“Woman, your faith is great,” Jesus said. If Jesus were to look upon the spiritual lives of each and every one of us, what would He say?

Faith is like the beauty of a human face. The beauty of a human face is not something that appears suddenly; it is cultivated through daily life. Faith is the same. It is not something that appears suddenly; it is formed through our daily lives.

The faith of the mother featured in today’s Gospel grew even stronger when it seemed as though Jesus had refused her request.

Perhaps God does not refuse our requests; perhaps God simply wants to confirm whether what we are asking for is truly necessary for our lives.

When Jesus realized that the mother’s request was truly necessary for her daughter, He granted it. “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you wish.” At that moment, her daughter was healed.

That mother’s faith moved the mountain of hardship in her daughter’s life. Faith is the eye that sees God’s goodness behind every event.

As we here ask something of God, let us set out on this week’s journey while reflecting on whether that request is truly necessary for our lives.