Preparing A Meal

Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called. And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple. Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’ They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for it?’ ‘Listen,’ he said to them, ‘when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, “The teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ” He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.’ So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. Luke 21:37-22:13

Important celebrations always include a meal no matter how elaborate or humble they might be. There is an anticipated joy in the meal prep, the conversations and the laughter that go along with getting everything ready. I have often joined my mother in the kitchen and my husband and I love to cook together, and love having the whole family around. Most family meals, however sacred, do not hold the portent we know is in our Gospel story of the last supper preparation. Yet we can be present with them, when we remember Christ's sacrifice which began and continues with a simple meal.

Wondrous God, you came among us

taught us to live like your children

you blessed us with healing and hope

and brought us all back to new life.

We are often distracted and foolish

caught up in the politics of the day

thinking we can win if loud enough

believing that money will change things.

Bring us back always to your table

welcome us and teach us your love

remake our hearts for service alone

and help us be blessings here and now. Amen.