I like her idea of including everyone. But the political descriptions here are limited, people there are good and gracious and inclusive people in both groups. We are more like than different. We must stay away from the ‘us and them’ feelings.
The questions you ask about what kind of table do we want say it all. Clearly your invitation list is big enough. It is up to those who hold back to accept the invitation.
Diana--Grace and peace to you this Saturday! I hope you are well. This post calls to mind that in Cleveland, a group of us is starting the Cleveland Dinners--https://www.clevelanddinners.org//. Of course, right now it's all virtual and it has been life giving for me. I look forward to the day when we can gather in person and eat together.
Ms. Bass, when I get to thinking about it, we are all "born" into "tables," where we get to be safe and happy and grow...whatever that means/is. It's when we get out and about that our experience of table either grows and/or gets reinforced and/or both.
RE: old vs. new testaments: I find the old testament the bible of (and encapsulater of) the GOP 's values and characteristics: full of thou shalls/shall nots (aka law and order); a vengeful, punishing and far-too-human-acting God (rather than the devine, unknowable God probably is); and a male-dominated, top-down form of "community" and belief sthat has no appeal to me. The new testament, on the other hand, through the characteristics and actions of Jesus (as in WWJD) presents a God of love and hope and understanding of the human condition...and a way of being that includes and affirms and celebrates us humans.
And yes, I suspect I (raised Jewsih and now trying to be a WWJD kind of person) overthink things.
I'm preaching at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service here in Fremont, Union City, and Newark (California) in November. My sermon title is "Tables and Chairs." This will definitely be fodder for that sermon. Thank you!
Thank you for this very important “table talk”! Recently, when I’m contemplating the 23rd Psalm, I pause at “You prepare a table in the MIDST of my enemies“. I imagine sitting down to what I’m sure is a bountiful, generous banquet and extend my hands in invitation to my enemies to join me. Could that possibly be what God intended?
So timely, in a week when everyone "not like us" appears to be a porcupine or porcupines. If only we could extend a hand and just LISTEN to the Other! Listening now seems hard, especially now. We need to remember that our presence is needed and listening is LOVE.
What a great in site of the feast and banquet that allows all of us to have equal access regardless of race, gender or partnership or socioeconomics. The beloved community, all are equal, all are of value, all are loved and accepted.
I like her idea of including everyone. But the political descriptions here are limited, people there are good and gracious and inclusive people in both groups. We are more like than different. We must stay away from the ‘us and them’ feelings.
The questions you ask about what kind of table do we want say it all. Clearly your invitation list is big enough. It is up to those who hold back to accept the invitation.
Diana--Grace and peace to you this Saturday! I hope you are well. This post calls to mind that in Cleveland, a group of us is starting the Cleveland Dinners--https://www.clevelanddinners.org//. Of course, right now it's all virtual and it has been life giving for me. I look forward to the day when we can gather in person and eat together.
Ms. Bass, when I get to thinking about it, we are all "born" into "tables," where we get to be safe and happy and grow...whatever that means/is. It's when we get out and about that our experience of table either grows and/or gets reinforced and/or both.
RE: old vs. new testaments: I find the old testament the bible of (and encapsulater of) the GOP 's values and characteristics: full of thou shalls/shall nots (aka law and order); a vengeful, punishing and far-too-human-acting God (rather than the devine, unknowable God probably is); and a male-dominated, top-down form of "community" and belief sthat has no appeal to me. The new testament, on the other hand, through the characteristics and actions of Jesus (as in WWJD) presents a God of love and hope and understanding of the human condition...and a way of being that includes and affirms and celebrates us humans.
And yes, I suspect I (raised Jewsih and now trying to be a WWJD kind of person) overthink things.
Your last line says it all for me....I definitely still have to work on my invitation list....
Evocative post! It makes me ask myself who am I open to inviting to my table? And I love the image of God “willy nilly” doing anything!
I'm preaching at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service here in Fremont, Union City, and Newark (California) in November. My sermon title is "Tables and Chairs." This will definitely be fodder for that sermon. Thank you!
All religions,
all this singing,
is one song.
The differences are just
illusion and vanity.
The sun’s light looks a little different
on this wall than it does on that wall...
but it’s still one light. Rumi
Thank you for this very important “table talk”! Recently, when I’m contemplating the 23rd Psalm, I pause at “You prepare a table in the MIDST of my enemies“. I imagine sitting down to what I’m sure is a bountiful, generous banquet and extend my hands in invitation to my enemies to join me. Could that possibly be what God intended?
So timely, in a week when everyone "not like us" appears to be a porcupine or porcupines. If only we could extend a hand and just LISTEN to the Other! Listening now seems hard, especially now. We need to remember that our presence is needed and listening is LOVE.
Sorry Partisanship
What a great in site of the feast and banquet that allows all of us to have equal access regardless of race, gender or partnership or socioeconomics. The beloved community, all are equal, all are of value, all are loved and accepted.