MEMORIA : ST APOLLONIA OF ALEXANDRIA
Readings
I - Gen. 2: 18-25
II - Mk. 7: 24-30
LET GO OF THE EGO
The Church keeps the memory of the St. Apollonia of Alexandria.
Saint Apollonia, an aged virgin, was the most famous among the martyrs, honoured for her virtue and modesty. Her teeth were beaten out, and she was led outside the city, where a huge fire was kindled. She was told she must deny Christ, or else be burned alive. She was silent for a moment, and then, moved by a special inspiration of the Holy Ghost, she walked into the fire and died in its flames. May she intercede for us for the greace of firm faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Patience, perseverance and purpose backed by faith and humility gets a miracle done is one of the takeaways of the Gospel passage of the day. It demands letting go of the ego. The Syrophoenician woman, a gentile, approaches Jesus for a miracle, the healing for her daughter. Jesus tests her patience to the extent of calling her a ‘dog’ but the mother never gave up. She was purposeful, that her daughter be relived from the clutches of the unclean spirit, for she has heard about Jesus. The mother of the little daughter had great faith and tremendous trust in the Lord that she finally heard from Jesus: “…you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter”.
Ask with patience, seek with purpose and knock with perseverance all backed up in faith in the Lord and a bit of humility as well and the miracle will be obtained. Give up ego, be focused and get the purpose achieved. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be humble.”
