Father Michael's Thoughts This Week
WEEKLY THOUGHTS 20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
AUGUST 16, 2026
Dear Friends,
We just celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven after her earthly life. In 1950, Pope Pius Xll defined it as an article of faith or dogma; “Mary who was without sin was taken, body and soul into the glory of heaven.” Mary is the sign of salvation promised to humanity. Her faith helped her to recognize God’s work in the salvation of mankind. Mary is the mother of our Savior Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel Reading of last Sunday, we heard Peter calling upon Jesus, “Lord save me.” Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter. When Jesus and Peter entered the boat and all was calm, Peter confessed; “You are really the Son of God.” There are a number of instances when Jesus was at prayer. The disciples also admired Jesus seeing him many times at prayer. Jesus taught his disciples the Our Father prayer. He emphasized to his disciples, to pray with faith and be persistent in prayer.
The Gospel Reading of this Sunday Mt 15: 21-28 relates to us the persistent prayer of a Canaanite woman to Jesus; “Have pity on me Son of David, my daughter is tormented by the demon.” As the Canaanite woman keeps on asking for the healing of her daughter, Jesus praises the faith of this foreign woman; “Great is your faith, let it be done to you as you wish.”
The Jews rejected Jesus as the Son of God, yet the Gentiles accepted him as the Son of God and Savior to mankind. The prayer of the Canaanite woman reveals her deep faith, humility and perseverance. I am challenged as the disciple of Jesus to take up this form of prayer as my own. Reference can be made to the prayer of the Roman Centurion as Jesus found great faith; “I have not found such great faith in the house of Israel.”
Let us be persistent in our prayer. Let me keep on patiently waiting for God to respond. Let my prayer be a total surrender to the will of God.
Have a great week and God bless.
Father Michael Mugomba, Pastor