On January 29, 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios, Patriarchal Vicar, celebrated the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at Virgin Mary Church of Yonkers, New York. He conveyed the prayers, greetings, love and blessings of His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East.

Sayidna Antonios preached about Sunday’s gospel reading of the Canaanite Woman who relentlessly pursued our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ (Matt. 15:21-28). She knew He was God and could heal her daughter who was possessed by a demon.

“When we see how Jesus dealt with this woman, we could become upset,” His Eminence said. “How could He not answer her request directly to heal her pain? His disciples asked Him to send her away because she was shouting after the Lord.

“Jesus wanted to show the disciples that He knew they were thinking of this woman, according to the law, as a dog or a pig. He wanted to show them they were wrong, and that this woman had a greater faith than they had. He taught them a lesson about how they see people. God looks to our heart and our faith.

“This woman teaches us how to humble. She accepted to be considered as a dog because she knew she was not worthy of the mercy and compassion of God, but because of her great love to her daughter, she had the ability to live the ultimate humility.”

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