A Place at the Table

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this. Luke 22:14-23

A Place at the Table

A little child dies in her father's arms

drown in river water trying to escape

the brutality of their beloved home

seeking a place at freedom's table.

The brown, sweet faces of children

starving, dirty and dying in detention

pressed against concrete and fence

simply want a place at the table.

The sweet, terrified young mother

desperate for water so she can nurse

clings to the future for her children

dusty but noble, aching for a place.

Give us your tired, your poor, aching

to be free from assaults and abuse

they want only to find refuge and freedom

and we deny them a place at the table.