Come to the table
For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Henry's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and blog content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.
On September 9, when many of our members return from Labor Day vacations or summer travels, the gospel text from Mark and the sacrament of communion might be a powerful combination to welcome folks back to the gospel-centered community.
Whether she knows it or not, the Syrophoenician woman’s reference to the table is a persuasive image for her audience. The table stands at the center of Jesus’ ministry. It is at table with sinners and tax collectors and the poor and outcast that Jesus breaks down barriers of hostility and division while breaking bread. And later in Mark, at the Passover table, Jesus will share a meal with his disciples that comes to be the central repeated sacrament of his followers.
