It is 9th August 2017. We celebrate the memorial of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and Martyr the Patroness of Europe. A Jewish lady who was an atheist until her teenage. She got converted to Catholicism and was very much committed to suffer for Christ. She taught us that truth is not the opinions of a few who are on the helm of affairs. Having believed in the Cross, one cannot remain idle without attempting to make supreme sacrifices for the one who loves this much. The Cross of our Lord is the Truth and it is the mystery, she taught. She defended the Cross of our Lord as the sign of supreme love that remains the sacrifice for all. No matter one believes it or not. It is the love that makes suffering bearable and the veins of suffering deepens the roots of love. She was later captured by the Nazi army and was thrown into the gas chamber in the concentration camp and was martyred. Suffering, pain and going through voluntary inconveniences are the channels of communications that brings out genuine and committed love. The readings are from Num. 13:1-2. 25 – 14:1, 26-29. 34-35; and the Gospel from Mt 15:21-28. What we perceive will not save us from any situation but who we believe in surely get us out of any challenging situation. Moses chose one representative from each tribe to strategize a strike on the land flowing with honey and milk. Except Joshua and Caleb all the ten representatives offered a negative report and exaggerating the reality to level that they cannot handle. These ten representatives misled the community and convinced the rest not to trust God anymore to fight these giants. The truth remains unaffected even when it is bombarded by lies and exaggerations. Those who promoted and believed in the Truth, the Lord, entered the promise land. Our communication must be based on the facts not on fictions and illusions. When God becomes the fiber optic of our communication, we can overcome any gigantic lies. The responsorial Psalm implores, “O Lord, remember me out of the love you have for your people.” (Ps.105:4). The Gospel displays the tremendous faith of a non-Jewish lady. The way she communicated her faith to the Lord opened the heart of Jesus to provide what she requested. Faith requires a genuine communication with the one we believe. Even if the Son of Man has a reason not to give us at the very moment we ask, but the way we communicate the petitions wrapped in love and respect wins the heart of the Giver. Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” (Mt.15:28). God cannot refuse when we have communicated in truth and faith in His Son Jesus. May you have a good day.