Gather Around the Table
Posted on May 02, 2017 by
Dear Salem Family,
I love food. Many of you know I love food. I love to cook, dine out, share a meal, experiment with new recipes, I love food. But, I think what I love most about food is that it brings people together. Whether it’s two people sharing a meal or a huge party, food brings people together. These last couple of weeks, I was reminded multiple times about how much I love putting together a meal and sharing it with people I love. I was able to bring a meal to a friend who needed a break, I was able to experiment with a new recipe and share it with someone I love, I was able to put together a large meal for a dinner party and I was able to recommend places to people and hear how much fun they had together over a meal.
I was also reminded how I have seen Christ at a table with friends, and how I’ve seen Christ show up in the form of a friend bringing food. When I’m gathered around a table with friends and family, the love that I feel around that table, surrounded by a delicious meal is amazing. I feel Christ’s love around that table. We had a conversation during adult Sunday School about when you have seen Jesus, and maybe not recognized him until later. My thoughts were taken back to when I was in the hospital and after that, I saw Jesus in all of the friends and families that brought a meal to our door.
Pastor reminded us this past week that the meal God gave us is a sign of God’s love. Communion is a meal that offers forgiveness, a meal that is offered to feed us and empower us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are called to gather around the table at Holy Communion and then we are challenged to turn around and go back out in to the world to share the Gospel. We gather so we can work together to provide food for those that are hungry. We gather so we can work together to find ways to provide love for those that are hungry.
It’s funny to me how most things in my life are about food and love. But I’ve seen Christ show up around a table of people, and it’s an amazing experience.
In Christ’s love,
Meghan Harmison
Director of Adult Ministries and Outreach