20th Sunday of the Year
August 16, 2009
Proverbs 9:1-6;
Ephesians 5:15-20;
John 6:51-58
About 15 years ago I went to Cleveland for a wedding. Jim, who had worked for me at Loras College was marrying Anita—the first grandchild of an Italian-Lebanese family. The first born of an only child---and if you know anything of Italian & Lebanese culture, THIS was a big event.
It was wonderful—the Lebanese aunts flew in from New Jersey, carrying with them enough delicacies to feed the whole new student population here at UNI. Speaking of which, STA offers a sub supper for ALL new students at ISU next Sunday.
Gathered at the bride’s parish center the night before the wedding—
A banquet table greeted all the out-of-town guests. It was heavy with sweet treats and flaky delicacies with Arabic names this Iowa German boy could never even pronounce.
The aunts sat together talking at once—finishing each other’s sentences! They reminded me of a string quartet. It was as if their conversation was carefully scripted and rehearsed. The table they prepared groaned with more food than we could ever eat. But then, that was the point, really.
The food announced a wondrous celebration. The food sang of undying love and joy. It had little to do with feeding empty stomachs, and all to do with nourishing spirits. The great bounty of the table sang of celebration and joy.
Likewise, Lady Wisdom spreads her table to feed our spirits. “Come eat my food, come drink my wine. All are invited, all are welcome.”
This food nourishes our spirits. This food strengthens our hearts. Wisdom tells us, her guests: “whoever is hungry---whoever lacks life’s joy, sit and be feed at this banquet.” Our Hebrew ancestors and we Christians think of the scriptures, the Word of God as this wisdom, this spiritual nourishment.
That table in Cleveland overflowed with delicacies. But more importantly it overflowed with love. In June I presided at a wedding. The father is a pharmacist and known throughout the parish for his hospitality. Because it was on a Friday, I was able to attend the reception. The menu was heavenly. But what most impressed me was the care and preparation of the wedding banquet. It was evident to all guests, that this banquet was the tangible expression of love and joy to all the guests. The intention was clearly to nourish our spirit as well as our body.
The human heart hungers for ways to communicate love. Sharing a meal speaks to us of the deep mystery of our unity, of commitment, and the hope in each other.
Each week we say to each other: “Gather around this table, my sisters and brothers in the Lord. Gather around this table heavy with love unending. The Lamb of God calls us to his table - Be filled with joy and hope, Be filled as with a banquet beyond all telling.”
Ours is not a table covered end to end with rare delicacies. but a simple table set with bread and wine. We break bread; we pour out wine; to call to mind our struggle to be broken and poured out for one another as Jesus was for each of us.
We gather to wonder at the mystery that when we are broken and poured out—the Lord fills us as with a banquet.
Our simple meal reveals the Kingdom of God, so that the words of Jesus can become real for this time and this place; For this hungry home, For the starving soul we meet in school or at work this week, For whatever hunger we come face to face with this day.
We come to this table so that we might witness to our living the words of Jesus:
I myself am the living bread come down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread he shall live forever
The bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.
Our table holds not Lebanese delicacies but a profound mystery more than words can express. Our table holds the person of God among us –the Emmanuel.
So need not compliment the cooks. But like the food itself, we too must sing out, joining angels and the saints in chorus
“Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and never be hungry.”
Written by father Everett Hemann. RevEv@saintpatrickcf.org
Special thanks to Jim & Anita; to Wayne and the people of Saint Patrick- all of whom served as a conduit of God’s grace to enable me to put together these thoughts.