Dogs

But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me."
He said in reply,
"It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
--Matthew 15:21-28

We come from east and come from west
as fast or slow as we are able,
for all who come to you are blest,
even the dogs beneath the table.

We come from west and come from east;
we come for healing, come for worship.
Your children sit down at the feast;
we gather begging at your doorstep.

We come from temples, come from gods;
we leave our father’s house and people.
You smash our idols with your rod
and we lie shattered at your feet here.

We come to you from other flocks;
we come because our names are spoken.
You find us fallen among the rocks
and bring us with you, bruised and broken.

We come, and leave all we come from;
we come as exiles, empty-handed,
and still you call and still we come
and know we will not be abandoned.

We come, O Lord, because you heal,
for you alone, O God, are able.
We come here crawling to your meal,
and you will seat us at your table.

Franz Marc: Dog Lying in the Snow, 1910-1911, Städel Museum, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=477944