Every Meal

 By: Joanne Viola

 

Our church celebrates Communion, The Lord’s Supper, the first Sunday of each month. Communion holds a special place in my heart as I remember our Lord Himself awaits for the day when we all will be able to partake together in eternity.

"And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said,
“This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this,
as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
(1 Corinthians 11:24-25, NASB) 

“Every meal is an opportunity to remember Jesus, to honor him and celebrate holiness.”
(Shauna Niequist)

At our tables, our bodies find nourishment as we sit and partake of our meals; but it is at His table our souls find the morsels needed for sustenance.

We come to the Communion Table as a remembrance. It is there, we remember His sacrifice through His death and resurrection, so that we may live.

At His table, we are also reminded of God’s desire for our lives to be a living sacrifice. This requires the letting go of anything that holds us back, and letting it’s hold on us die. Only as we do so, will everything remaining then live and thrive.

“Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

(from The Book of Common Prayers, section Prayers and Thanksgivings, #70, page 835)

The prayer brought to mind my grandma, who prayed before eating any food. Yes, even before a cup of coffee and a cracker.

Saying grace –
it keeps us “mindful of the needs of others”.

We are to possess this kind of mind. Saying grace keeps us focused on the fact that while our bellies may be filled, there are many whose bellies are yet empty.

Every meal – an opportunity to remember the needs of others.
It is also opportunity to remember
the faithfulness of God in providing for us.

 

Reflection:
Does mealtime fill your heart, as well as your belly, with gratitude?
What can you do to remember the faithfulness of God as you come to His Table?

 

 

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay