Come to the Table

by Kathy Benedetto

Over the summer, Dave and I revived our designing skills and focused on our patio with the goal of making it more inviting. It was a yard centered around the inquisitiveness of a cat, but now we realize a need to move on.

We expanded the yard space by ridding ourselves of the junk. We salvaged what could be repurposed, but everything else had to go. It was a bold, unusual move for us, but very satisfying once the boundaries were set. It’s time to practice hospitality, so we placed comfort and color as our benchmarks with fun furniture that would set the mood and create an area where all could visit around a dinner table and enjoy the food while lingering and talking. To enhance the ambiance, we added fountains and fireplaces, and colorful plants. The effect was a desired getaway.

Psychologists have much to say about the benefits of family and friends gathering around a table to enjoy a meal together. No TV nor phones. Just interesting open-ended conversations with tasty food and favored company. In fact, data shows that families who often share meals together have enhanced emotional well-being, stronger sense of security, and strengthened relationships. Mealtimes create a sense of belonging, strong emotional ties plus increased resilience with better coping skills. Meals give each a chance to talk about their hopes and struggles, express emotions, concern and understanding and most of all humor with each other.

Jesus, being God, knew the value of eating together long before the studies were done. It is into this welcoming setting around a table He chose to impart His ultimate final big push of Truth…The Last Supper.

At this dinner He sought to build a stability into his disciples for the hard moments which were to come. He would tell them not to be troubled for he is going to prepare a place for them, introduces them to the identity of the Father, and invites them to ask for anything in His Name promising that He will do it; and, most importantly, giving the structure of a new commandment to “Love each other.”

He would disclose to them a hard Truth to accept. Taking a loaf of bread and breaking it to be shared. Claiming of the bread, “This is my body.” Then a cup of wine. “This is my blood.” Communion with Him established in a tangible, physical form.

He sets in motion His eventual separation from them by saying I’m leaving and where I am going you cannot come. He acknowledges their grief, but reveals to them that the Holy Spirit, an Advocate and Helper, will come. “This is for your own good.” For He will guide and establish you in this new, deeper relationship with Him.

United at the table, the bond is strengthened between them. The disciples puzzled by all that He said but trusting in His authority to make such claims. Their Teacher acting and saying words beyond their comprehension, yet they are remaining connected to Him as their Rabbi and friend.

Jesus knew they would soon be separated from Him. The followers would scatter and even deny knowing Him when the Roman soldiers showed up to arrest Him. Yet the hope, the plan was that the quiet tenderness of this gathering at the table would have done its work and they would be courageous enough to pull back together again after His resurrection. That this night would not be the last but the first of many such suppers together.

In Psalm 23, God still bids us to linger at the table with Him. To push the pause button on our fears, and sit down with Him, even in the presence of our enemies and not be afraid. To tell Him everything that troubles us. To be fortified by His presence found in each believer. To experience the power of fellowship shared among His disciples and followers…the very communion of the Saints.

Happy Easter

By Kathy and Dave Benedetto, storyteller and editor

From The Chronicle: for those who chronically love the Truth