Commentary on the Gospel of
Humility Heals
Did Jesus really heal the woman’s daughter? If we go by Jesus’ own words – “Because of such a response, the demon has gone out of your daughter” – we realize that the healing simply happened at her very response. What was so powerful about her response that made the demon walk out? It expressed a faith built on deep humility, a virtue unbearable for demons as they are personifications of pride. St. Anthony Mary Claret, who made humility his foundational virtue, writes: “The virtue of humility consists in this: in realizing that I am nothing, can do nothing but sin, and depend on God in everything – being, conservation, movement, and grace. (Aut. 347).” With all his wisdom and experience in life, Solomon fell away from God due to his pride, whereas humility lifted up the woman and her daughter and drew God’s favor and healing instantaneously.
