When I read today’s Gospel about the Canaanite woman wanting Jesus to cure her daughter who was being tormented by a demon, I think about how I pray to Jesus. Do we pray to Jesus only when we want something? Or does our prayer start with the recognition that Jesus has already provided us with so much? When we offer our petition to the Lord, is it a demand or a plea. The Canaanite woman seemed to demand Jesus’ attention. But then she changed her attitude and said, “Lord, help me.”
Sometimes we look at Jesus as someone who is to be at our beck and call. Be there when I want you. Stay away when you’re not needed. We don’t even treat our family this way! Now I kneel before Jesus in prayer and make my petition to Him. But I will always add to my prayer of petition – I know what I want, Lord, but you know best what I need.