Thursday February 13th: Dignity For All

“… but the housedogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps”

Mark 7:24-30

St. Mark celebrates the dignity of the human person as he recalls an encounter Jesus had with a gentile, a Syrophoenician woman. Jesus was in Tyre, a gentile territory, when this woman fell at his feet begging him to heal her daughter possessed by an evil spirit. At that time, Jews and Gentiles did not associate with each other.
Having listened to her request, Jesus gave the Jewish response that the “children” (the Jews) were the only ones to benefit from God’s graces and not the “housedogs” (the Gentiles). Emboldened by her need for healing for her daughter, she insisted that though considered “housedogs” they too were entitled to be at God’s table even if they were only given “scraps”. Jesus applauded her insight and humility and immediately healed her daughter. She understood that everyone was entitled to be treated with dignity.
We too are called to insist on the dignity of each person despite any opposition; for everyone is eligible to sit at the Lord’s table.