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Hello Jesse,
I am fascinated with all the stories of Jesus eating and sharing a meal at the dinner table. Whether feeding the five thousand or hauling in a near net-breaking number of fish, things are always startling. And Jesus gets a bit of reputation of who he eats with. There are some unsavory characters like tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:29ff). Jesus was willing to dine with all types of people regardless of their reputation, occupation, or social status. Even on the shore of Galilee, Jesus becomes the chef for his disciples after his resurrection, sharing bread and fish. And in all four Gospel accounts, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper during the Last Supper with his disciples, sharing bread and wine.
There's an implied sense of acceptance and peace in the act of sharing a meal. The very act of coming together around the table combats social isolation which is so prevalent post-COVID.
So it is with MDS at our project locations. Meals are important. The cooks rise early in the morning and make a hearty meal for the volunteers before they are dispatched in crews to work. I have noticed that, as the days go by in the week, the weekly volunteer groups who came as strangers intermingle and get to know each other personally. Myths and stereotypes are dismantled. After the meal there may be a devotional reading and singing of a song or hymn. During the evening meal, community members may be invited in to share their story of when the disaster hit. Again, laughter and serious dialogue might be heard over the din of dishware. It is here I see and hear Jesus dining at the table.
And I am grateful. I pray that Jesus will always be invited at the MDS table. Like the African-American folk song by an anonymous author, “I wanna sit at the welcome table. Why? God's children gonna sit together one of these days.”
Amen.
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