At the Table

"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight." Luke 24:30-31

Whenever people gather around a table for a meal, even if they are eating on a blanket spread on the ground, or around a campfire, or with no light at all -recognition and relationships are made and renewed. There is something in the act of sharing and eating that finds us more than who we used to be. We are entangled joyously with others, we hear in new ways and we see folks differently. Unfortunately, our eyes can be opened all to late and our hearts can be moved without us acting on the impulse of God given love. We can too easily turn away and turn back, no matter how glorious the encounter. We might talk about it for years to come as a magical event and yet we will shrink from recreating feasts because we are so sure of failure.

Jesus walks and talks with his best friends and they fail to recognize him. When they finally eat, they see him wholly and he disappears from their presence. How often, with those we love, do we fail to recognize them until it's too late? How often do we let living love pass us by? Among my brothers and sisters at General Convention, how often have we let the discussion spoil the meals and our knowing God in our presence? Today may we all be brave enough to welcome the risen Christ to our tables. Today, may we make our home with God and one another.

Holy Savior, you walked with your friends
and they knew you not.
You walk with us today and whisper love
and we turn away all too often.
Help us to set a table for God's love
help us welcome the stranger
and help us to see you in the foreigner
at table with us today.

Widen our understanding
increase our listening
and be with us at every meal.

We need your love as we try to be
your love made present in this world.

We ask this all in the name of Christ
who walked among strangers and made
them friends, Amen.