the Shared Table
When I was a kid, people would pop over to our house on the regular and we would do the same at the homes of others. In particular, we had 2 neighbors that it seemed like we spent so much time with them. The Messina’s and the Rosata’s. We had many meals together. The Rosata’s were an Italian family and let me tell you about the homemade bread they made…delicious! There was something special about the time we spent at the table with these neighbors, who became like family.
A few months ago I experienced a collision of life, realization, and illumination in scripture through the road to Emmaus narrative from the Gospel of Luke. The scriptures presented in such a way that brought about a profound reflection on how scripture can mirror our own unexpected life experiences and encounters with the divine.
Examine the narrative in Luke 24:36-43, where Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection.
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
The scripture highlights how context and expectations can often distort our perceptions, just as the disciples initially fail to recognize Jesus. This moment of misrecognition is something I can compare to times where my students saw me at the grocery store. They saw me outside of the school building and they were shocked and surprised. Context adds complexity and it can challenge our understanding of people and situations, even to the point of the inability to recognize.
As the journey continues to the act of breaking bread, a significant biblical event, brings about divine revelation of who Christ is. It wasn’t until they sat down together to share a meal, and broke bread did the realization come.
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” -Luke 24:40-49
This interaction reminds me that as we create policies and procedures in our churches to uphold our programs, we need to remember that we need to keep people over programs. The policies and procedures are necessary. The programs provide opportunities. But building personal relationships should be priority. Sitting down with the families that we serve, and breaking bread with them will bring about understanding, realizations and intimacy that will open the door for the Gospel to be accessible. This inclusive approach to faith communities emphasizes the importance of each person's potential to serve and contribute, irrespective of their abilities.
The transformative nature of Scripture is a recurring theme. I invite you to engage in scriptural reflections that can lead to a more inclusive communion. By paralleling the story of Emmaus with the reality of church life, I dream of community building where the shared table becomes a space for uncovering and appreciating the diverse gifts of its members.
