Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/428

 self, but  for  her  daughter. Her prayer  was  earnest,  for she cried  out  after  our  Lord. Lastly, her  prayer  was constant, for  although  often  repulsed,  she  persisted  in her  entreaty. Let this  be  the  model  of  your  prayers.

II. At first  Christ  seemed  to  address  her  harshly. " It is  not  good  to  take  the  bread  of  the  children  and  cast  it to  the  dogs." (Matt. xv.  26.)  He  thus  wished  to  exercise her  virtue  and  to  try  her  perseverance. God often acts in  the  same  manner  with  us,  because,  as  St.  Gregory remarks, "  He  loves  to  be  entreated,  He  wishes  to  be forced,  and  desires  to  be  overcome  by  importunities." Remark, admire,  and  imitate  the  woman's  humility. Let your  prayers  be  always  attended  by  this  virtue,  for " the  prayer  of  him  that  humbleth  himself,  shall  penetrate the  clouds,  and  he  will  not  depart  till  the  Most High  behold." (Ecclus. xxxv.  19.)

III. Christ yielded  at  length  to  the  woman's  pious  importunity, after  having  first  commended  her  faith. "O woman, great  is  thy  faith;  be  it  done  to  thee  as  thou wilt." (Matt. xv.  28.)  Perhaps  your  soul  like  this  woman's daughter  is  afflicted  with  an  evil  spirit. He is afflicted  with  this  spirit,  who  yields  to  troubles  and  temptations, but  he  who  overcomes  them  is  harassed  to  his greater merit. Beg, therefore,  courage  and  strength  to conquer  them,  and  pray  as  this  woman  did,  in  order  that "it may  be  done  to  thee  as  thou  wilt."