A mother, steals the show in to-days Jesus Story. She is not of Jesus people, nor Jesus religion, and some say that the Cannanite people were nicknamed ...’’dogs’’. But she has a great gift. She has the heart of a mother, who cares for her weak child. She is willing to beg, borrow, steal, shout, and challenge Jesus, for her sick daughter. Jesus sees her heart, and the heart of every mother, and He is deeply moved, while his disciples are irritated. Jesus changes his thinking. ’Woman, you have great faith ‘’ He said ....and I am sure He hugged her. This great faith, goes on in everyday home life, the never ending caring, planning, worrying, in generosity of heart, which is truly ‘’the spirit of Mass’’ Recently, a mother asked me to give ‘’A Reference ‘’ for her son. She said that he has been in trouble a few times, but he is a good lad, and now he has a chance of getting some work. Yesterday, she said, that he was doing fine, and offered ‘’a drink’’ in his honour. God sees ‘’the good lad in us always. and says ‘’You are Forgiven ‘’.

Liam Hickey, St.Ciarans, Hartstown, Dublin 15.