Homily: Thursday, February 10, 2022, Memorial of Saint Scholastica

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 Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021022.cfm

Yesterday’s first reading, we heard about King Solomon’s profound wisdom and great riches. Today, we read about his foolishness in turning away from God. It makes us wonder, how could someone so wise become so foolish?

Today’s gospel story is very interesting. A Syrophoenician woman, who was non-Jew, had enough faith to asked Jesus for help. And when our Lord tested her with a sarcastic reply, her response showed not just faith, but wisdom.

“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”

This reminds me of the former president of India, KR Narayanan. In India, among the Hindus there is a caste system. Everyone is born into a caste and stays in it forever. Narayanan’s family was from the lowest caste, considered the ‘untouchables’. So, others despised them.

When he was young, his parents had no money to pay the school fees. As penalty, the teachers would send him out of the classroom. But he was very keen to learn, so although he stood outside, he continued listening in to the lessons.

There was once, a government official went to the school for a general inspection. He asked every student, if they could choose, what would they want to be. The young Narayanan immediately replied that he wanted to be his neighbour’s dog. All other children laughed. Why? – he was asked. He said that his neighbour’s dog was fed a few meals a day, while he hardly even got one meal.

Narayanan studied well despite the challenges. He later attained many scholarships, studied in London with full scholarship, and worked as a diplomat representing India in different countries. Finally, he became the president of India for two terms.

What seemed a fool, became wise.

Wisdom does not emerge from royal backgrounds nor prestigious beginnings. Narayanan and the Syrophoenician woman were from despised backgrounds, but they used whatever little opportunity they had, humbly and wisely and gained much more than those who were privileged at first.

Jesus is sent first to the Israelites, the chosen race, the children of the household but they are too prideful to accept Him. Thus, the Syrophoenician woman, the dog of the house, representing the rest of the world, seeks, finds and benefits from the food thrown away.

What about us baptised Catholics, children of God? Do we also take for granted the graces, the blessings, the gifts that the church has provided for us? We are now the privileged ones, God is in our house, Jesus is in our midst, are we thankful and grateful, and do we claim all the spiritual blessings of our faith or are we wasting them away in pridefulness, anxiety and materialistic living?

St. Scholastica, pray for us. Amen.

Fr. Nivin Scaria 


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