“O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." - Matthew 15:28

Trust

What is the meaning of “trust”? How do we define it? Webster’s Dictionary provides the following definitions:
•               The trait of trusting; of believing in the honesty and reliability of others
•               Complete confidence in a person or plan etc
•               To Allow without fear

These are just some of the following definitions you would find in a dictionary- its literal meanings. Take note, these definitions are literal, or as in Filipino “denotatibo”, not figurative “konotatibo”.

So how can we relate this information to today’s Gospel? Well we could define it figuratively, for isn’t the Bible full of figurative statements? So does today’s Gospel

“The trait of trusting; of believing in the honesty and reliability of others”

The Lord is inexplicable, there goes the saying “the Lord works in mysterious ways”. For example, in the Gospel, the disciples ask Jesus to send the begging woman away for they were being disturbed.

“Jesus' disciples came and asked Him,
"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."”

Instead of ignoring her, Jesus let her approach Him. He tested the woman’s faith and in the end the woman’s wish was granted due to that said faith. The saying “Nasa tao ang gawa, Nasa diyos and awa” can be fully applied here. This shows how we not only have to put our full trust in God but also our full belief, for He will never leave us for He is undeniably reliable.
           
 “Complete confidence in a person or plan etc.”

This definition is somehow related to faith for if we have faith in someone then we shall have confidence too. For example, in the Gospel, the begging lady shows her unwavering faith. Due to that faith, Jesus granted her request.

"It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish."

We have to exemplify the fact that we are only part of a grander story, and to do so we must have confidence in Him.

“To Allow without fear”

As said in Psalms 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?” We must surrender ourselves to Him for who shall we fear if we have trust in the Lord?

These definitions may have been described in different descriptions, but they all express one meaning: trust. We just have to trust in Him - surrender ourselves to Him for we are confident enough that He will be there to catch us. And He will for He is reliable. When we face struggles on the path to Jesus, we entrust to Him all of our problems. He shall be there to accompany you and guide you to the right path together with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

-Ralph Jacob Monteposo

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