When God Seems Silent, Keep Praying (Lesson of the Canaanite Woman) – Aug 16 – Homily – Fr Isidore

 

Fr. Isisdore M. Cipres gives the homily for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Aug 16, 2026), showing how the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel teaches us never to give up when God seems silent or our prayers appear unanswered.

Through her love, humility, faith, and indomitable perseverance, we are reminded to keep bringing our families, wounds, struggles, and deepest needs to Jesus, trusting that God is not finished with us.

Index
00:00 - God's Mercy Has No Borders
00:00:43 - The Canaanite Woman's Desperate Plea
00:02:38 - Unwavering Faith Amidst Rejection
00:04:25 - God's Silence and Persistent Prayer
00:06:58 - Love, Faith, and Indomitable Perseverance
00:09:57 - Overcoming Conflict and Disappointment
00:12:20 - Keep Coming to Jesus with Hope
00:13:10 - Mary's Intercession and Never Abandon Hope

Scriptural, Catechetical, and Magisterial resources
Matthew 15:28 – Great faith rewarded with healing – https://airmaria.com/go/W3ig24
Luke 18:1 – Always pray and never lose heart – https://airmaria.com/go/vLJV9Q
Isaiah 56:7 – God's house for all peoples – https://airmaria.com/go/fcvQb4
CCC 2742 – Perseverance in prayer is necessary – https://airmaria.com/go/Q3YFNw
CCC 1503 – Christ's compassion for the sick – https://airmaria.com/go/rRbZv9
Pope Francis 2016 – Pray constantly without losing heart as Jesus instructs – https://airmaria.com/go/wQA9hc
Pope Francis 2020 – Pray for all sinners without judgment recognizing shared sinfulness – https://airmaria.com/go/Tyr2fF
Pope Francis 2016 – Examine heart's state when praying to avoid arrogance and hypocrisy – https://airmaria.com/go/YFVZ9M
Pope Benedict XVI 2011 – Salvation delivers from inner evil and sin not punishment escape – https://airmaria.com/go/J8Qemp
Pope Francis 2023 – Jesus shows compassion by raising widow's son without requiring faith – https://airmaria.com/go/xuhCX4

Ave Maria!

Mass: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sunday
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081626.cfm
1st: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 - Jeremiah in the Cistern
Resp: Psalms 40:2, 3, 4, 18 - Thanksgiving and a Prayer for Help
2nd: Hebrews 12:1-4 - Persevere in the Race
Gsp: Luke 12:49-53 - Jesus: A Cause of Division

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=783

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNsmPsNmd9o