The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity - Reflection by Canon Leslie

​Today’s Gospel reading from Mark chapter 7 marks an important point of transition in Jesus’ ministry. In Mark’s narrative Jesus began his ministry among the Jewish people, but today we find him in Gentile territory. Then a Gentile woman comes to Jesus for help. The opening conversation between Jesus and the woman sounds offensive. The woman says of Jesus, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs’. Jesus’ response indicates that the turn of the Gentiles has now arrived.  The Gentiles also deserve to be treated as God’s children.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of dogs. Today’s picture is taken from the illustrated communion book, The Lord is Here!, where the picture is set alongside the Prayer of Humble Access.  
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
your love is for all people.
Teach us to share your love with all,
that your reign may reach
to the ends of the world;
for you are our God.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday’s Gospel reading takes us to Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi when he says to Jesus, ‘You are the Messiah’. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is following the clues. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to [email protected].
 
To read more about The Lord is Here! and for more resources for children regarding Communion, you are welcome to follow this link to the relevant page of the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/childrenandcommunion.html.
 
You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To stream the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To stream the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos.
 
​Canon Leslie