At DM
C our custom is to host new members at a dinner each quarter; Staff, Society Stewards and new members fellowship at the table together. On Wednesday we enjoyed our first such dinner for this year and I once again returned home nourished in body, heart and mind. Whenever we share food at the table we also share ourselves through telling stories, sharing ideas and listening to others. We will formally welcome new members when we next share the Lord’s Supper together. At the Lord’s Supper we share together in the life of Christ and God’s plan for our world.
Luke, whose Gospel we read today, also valued table fellowship. The stories he tells about Jesus frequently involve meals (Jesus eats with sinners, invites himself to dinner with Zacchaeus, is anointed by a sinful women at the table etc. etc.). As Craddock writes “We cannot stress too strongly the central importance of table fellowship in that culture, in the ministry of Jesus, in the life of the early church, and among New Testament writers, Luke most especially”.[1]
The topics at our own tables often include load-shedding, parliament and xenophobia. Our discussions are naturally filled with anxiety and concern for those who suffer. Luke’s experience is that the resurrected Jesus can be expected to interrupt our discussion and show us the way to peace and joy: repentance and forgiveness of sins for all nations (Lk. 24: 47).
God Bless,
Sean
[1] Craddock, F. B. (1990). Luke (p. 102). Louisville, KY: John Knox Press.