Eucharistic meditation

Matthew 15:27: She said, Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

We don’t belong at this table. I’m not referring here to the fact that we are all sinners who aren’t worthy to be considered our Lord’s table companions. That’s true, but I have something more specific in mind. We don’t belong here because we are not “children.” This is Israel ‘s table, and we are not Israelites.

Throughout her history, Israel gathered for worship at the Lord’s table. That table was an altar, the table where the Lord’s portions of the sacrifices were consumed. But Israel was the people gathered at the Lord’s table to share in that table. Israel ate from the bread of Yahweh, the bread Israel ‘s master shared with His house, the bread that Israel ‘s husband shared with His bride.

By “nature,” we have no place there. We are among the Gentile dogs who gather under the table, not among the Jewish children who have a seat there. But Jesus, the Son of David, who came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel , has let the crumbs fall. He gave the Canaanite woman the “bread” of healing for her daughter, and He has given us bread as well.

Jesus has gone further than this. Jesus has not only let some crumbs fall to the Gentiles, but has elevated us to a place at the table. As Gentiles by nature, we are among the dogs, the unclean; but we have been washed, sanctified, justified, and adopted. We have been made children of the living God, born again of water and Spirit, and so have a place at the table, not only to eat crumbs that fall but to be full participants in the feast.