RBWords

     A meal is more than food!  It is the occasion of so many important events in life.  In the gospels, many of Jesus' images as well as his practice are centered on meals.  The scribes and Pharisees criticized him for "eating with sinners and tax collectors."  And, the principal way we celebrate his "real presence" in our midst is at a meal of bread and wine.  (Yes, the ritual does make it difficult to recognize a as a meal!)  The widespread disappearance of the family meal in our American culture has been noted by social commentators and may also be reflected in the rather individualistic way we celebrate the Eucharist - each person facing forward and coming up in a line to receive an individual portion.  No one faces anyone, nor is anything "passed" except from minister to communicant.  (At least we haven't gotten to the point where we celebrate it as a "buffet!")

     The scriptures from Isaiah and Matthew today focus our attention on the importance of a meal as a symbol of God's kingdom!  In Isaiah, the "messianic banquet" is a sign of hope and of God's care.  The invitation is given to "all peoples."  In the gospel scripture from Matthew, the invitation begins with a particular group and gradually expands, but it is a demanding invitation, requiring an appropriate response and not simply "showing up."  In the Middle East, a meal would be an important occasion of social bonding.  One usually ate only with people of the same social class.  Isaiah and Matthew both challenge us to recognize that God's table may have us facing and eating with surprising guests.  

     Jesus' actions at meals and his parables about them are a challenge to our worship life (large churches and impersonal ceremonies) and our love of neighbor (Do we care enough to eat with one another and also see that the hungry are fed as well?).  The invitation to the Lord's table comes to all people but we must have the wedding garment of a life worthy of that invitation!  AMEN