Bread symbolises abundance and nourishment; crumbs are associated with scarcity. In this Whirlow blog, we look at a story by the Apostle Mark and wonder what it has to say to us; about this Jesus’ who called himself the Bread of Life - and yet had a limited amount of time and energy. We are invited to respond.
Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash
One of today’s recommended bible readings is from the Gospel according to Mark. It is a somewhat controversial story, interpreted in different ways. It uses some stark and puzzling language.
You can find the whole of chapter 7 here. We focus on verses 24 - 30 and paraphrase them below:
“Jesus went away to Tyre, an unfamiliar place, and stayed in a house where he thought he might avoid notice. But he could not!
Straight away, a woman whose little daughter was unwell heard about him. She came and bowed down at his feet.
Now, this woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin - not one of Jesus’ own people, the Jews. She begged him to cast the demon out and heal her daughter. But Jesus said :
‘My children need be fed first; it is not fair to take their food and throw it to the dogs.’
She responded:
‘Sir, even dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’
Then, he said:
‘Because of that answer, you may go. Your daughter is well.’
And she went home, found her child lying on the bed and the demon had gone. ”
Take a moment to reflect on this passage. Don’t worry if you find it confusing. What are you feeling?
Characteristically of Mark’s writing, this short passage is jam-packed! It contains unspoken emotion and deep, difficult feeling.
As you engage with it, imagine the scene using all your senses.
What sort of house are they meeting in? What is Jesus doing as the woman enters - how does she approach and enter? Is this a comfortable place? Perhaps there is a loaf of bread on a table that prompts the conversation. Perhaps noises of animals and children can be heard outside, inspiring some of the exchange that follows.
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Jesus must have had connections in Tyre in order to find this house of retreat. This foreign woman has heard, from someone, about Jesus’ arrival. She is in a desperate state and on high alert to try anything to help.
Maybe this woman would never have listened to the gossip or approached Jesus, had her daughter not been so ill.
When Jesus compares helping this woman’s sick daughter to taking the children’s food and throwing it to the dogs, we feel shocked.
Spend some time with that, if you wish.
It is likely there is some shared cultural understanding between Jesus and the Syro-phoenician woman that we modern readers miss. Familiarity with the stratified and very ancient culture behind some of the puzzling terms used may render the account less shocking.
On the other hand, a mother fighting for her daughter’s life would have no time for rhetorical game-play, abstract concepts and interfaith sparring. She is part of a tragic and painful story, unfolding in the here and now.
It makes sense to those of us on the outside that Christ’s active, earthly ministry was constrained by time and geography. He achieved a staggering amount in a few years, ‘feeding’ many spiritually and physically. Perhaps, on this occasion, he felt very aware of the boundaries that enabled him to be effective in his vocation. He was in Tyre to escape, after all!
But boundaries make no sense to this needy parent. In that state, perhaps without realising, she articulates a humble and absolute confidence in Christ’s power and grace - and a complete lack of regard for any limitations. She has the clarity of mind to argue forcefully with his stated resistance.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
A plate of crumbs sounds like an insult to a hungry person.
Is this why Christ resists? Crumbs are not enough to offer…..
Most of us are privileged and accept nothing other than soft, fresh bread. But this woman’s faith is so strong that she demands the crumbs.
Think about your own story, for a moment.
Have there been times of need when you felt God was silent – that he was busy ‘feeding’ and ‘healing’ others instead of you?
Can you recall times when you were brought so low that you would have fought for ‘crumbs’ and not cared that you received less than others? What might that mean, for you?
Have there been times when you feel you have only crumbs to give? When do you hold back? When do you accept the demand to hand over the scraps of your life’s energy? What part does self-esteem play in all this?
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You may like to read this poem by Emily Dickinson, that explores ideas about crumbs, abundance and most of all, Hope.
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Over the coming days and weeks leading towards Lent, you may want to be conscious of the spiritual crumbs on offer beneath the table of your life; of those you might be able to leave for others who are going through lean times and are asking for them.