An expansive and colorful table
February 12th, 2023 – Communion Meditation
In communion, we sit at an expansive table with God’s children from every place and time and people and tongue. What a beautiful and colorful image that paints in my mind! It reminds me of the kind of knitting I like to do. I really enjoy colors, and one of my kids has helped me pushed the envelope to a new level through her beautiful designs in which I’m using as many as a dozen or more colors at the same time. I’m learning some lessons along the way which I invite you to ponder along with me today as we approach God’s Kingdom table and begin to notice who is sitting near or beside us in our lives.
As I follow a pattern, there are times when I am already working with several colors and need to introduce a new color. If I neglected to do so because it seemed too complicated, the design would be incomplete. Ponder with me – how can I become more willing to welcome and receive whomever God sends me to love and be loved by?
When many balls of yarn are used, it’s important to proceed slowly and carefully so that the tension is neither too loose nor too tight. Ponder with me – recognizing that all authentic relationships necessarily include some tension, how can I be more careful in my care of those around me?
Tangles are inevitable. When we encounter these, instead of giving up or attending to a different project, we can pause and take the time to do the hard work of untangling the various threads before moving on. Ponder with me – how can I honor relationships in my life by resisting the impulse to avoid difficult situations and instead invest my time and effort to come alongside others, pray, listen, counsel, and seek additional help?
Come to the table, this expansive and colorful table. Come and receive more of the life of Christ. Come and be loved so we can be poured out to love God, ourselves, and others, for the greater glory of God – Father, Christ Jesus, and Holy Spirit.
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He took the bread and said, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (eat)
Again, Jesus took the cup and said, “This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (drink)
