Wednesday 03 December 2008

Background

In the Bible, "on this mountain" means 'in God's presence'.Advent hope pictures a right royal occasion, as banquets so oftenare, with the best of everything - except when it comes to thestatus of the guests. In Isaiah's dream of God's kingdom, the feastis for all people. There is a universal invitation.

In most Churches this heavenly banquet is regularly anticipated inHoly Communion - a deeply symbolic meal which does not offer uprich fare and well-matured wines, but the makings of a 1st centuryPalestinian peasant's meal of bread and wine, which Christiansconsume in response to Jesus' instruction to "Do this inremembrance of me" (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24).

In some Methodist services there is a prayer after the sharing ofthe bread and wine which thanks God for "feeding us in thissacrament, uniting us with Christ, and giving us a foretaste of theheavenly banquet prepared for all people". Even when there are onlya handful in the congregation, the action of sharing food and drinkin the Eucharist (from a Greek word meaning 'thanksgiving') pointsus to the universal banquet where God is the host.

People used to say, with a certain conscious piety, "The familythat prays together stays together". We live in a time of TV mealswhere different members of a household eat at their convenience.Perhaps "The family that eats togetherstays together" might be a more appropriate comment in ourtime.

To Ponder

What is the difference between a meal and abanquet? How does this difference affect the way you read thispassage?

Could you share your Christmas dinner orcelebrations with someone who would otherwise be alone?