Table Crumbs – Mark 7:24-30 Reflection
I am sure there are times when you have changed your opinion after carefully listening to the opposing view. Isn’t that what Jesus seems to do with the Syrophoenician woman? Was it because her religion was different from that of Jesus? Does His apparent initial human reaction to ignore her confuse you? What if Jesus acts this way for our benefit so we can understand compassionate situations better? No doubt, her response touched His heart (as it should ours). Her logical response of humility and faith was a way for Him to show us how to reconsider situations. We constantly hear opinions contrary to our feelings, so we should react positively if possible. Shouldn’t this testing the spirit story of table crumbs touch a nerve for you to act with love for all situations like these?
The Canaanites Daughter by James Tissot. (full-resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 7:24-30 – Scripture*
The Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith
24 From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, 25 but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” 30 So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 7:24-30 Reflection – Table Crumbs
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Mark 7 Bible passage.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Mark 7 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
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Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.