Diana, I did it! In our small parish, we agreed to shift the focus of the Passion from the Cross to the Table. I adapted readings from Maundy Thursday to follow the Liturgy of the Palms and preached a sermon on Jesus' final teaching to his disciples, the last time they were all together. I included a lot of juicy stuff the lectionary leaves out. At our second service, the deacon preached a narrative sermon in story form which covered the same themes. One of the best liturgies I've ever done and I want to thank your magnificent theological imagination for helping to make it possible. I introduced the theme to my congregation with the Prodigal Son, as you suggested and let it grow on us. It's a beautiful non-violent antidote in these violent times. Thank you. Carol Luther, St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Bolinas, California.
As some who lives near Richmond, Virginia, I’ve had occasion in recent months to discuss the removal of Confederate monuments, and what should happen in the spaces formerly occupied by the statues. For me, the answer is clear.
Tables.
A table is the perfect form to fill those locations. Where stood figures of generals who led in battle, let’s build tables around which we can share nourishment. Instead of massive reminders of division and a legacy of separation, let’s look to an image of breaking bread. Of sacrament, if you like. Of the Home we all share.
I love your focus on meals as we read the scripture. Meals were the center of life during the decades between Jesus and "Christianity." How perfect and obvious it should be!! Following you on "Jesus De/constructed" has opened a whole new option for me as I struggle with the emphasis on the cross as the symbol during this season (garish and gruesome and horrific) and the welcome and inclusiveness of the meal that we were instructed to do in memory of him. We have gone so far astray. God bless you for your work!!
I have a dear friend who has been experiencing tremendous physical pain and suffering for months. He has recently gotten some medical help and relief. He has continuously asked me if there is any Christian literature dealing with finding/maintaining a relationship with God when going through tremendous suffering. Can you suggest some resources I could share with him? Thank you for your considering this request.
I have always thought the table was the whole purpose - opening the table. The world's table is available only conditionally. As the terrible warfare in Ukraine continues, and so many part of the planet are riven with "leaders" calling various constituencies to dismiss and even destroy others who live even next door, I realize not only how hungry I am for a different table, but how hungry the world's peoples are; that we are living in perennial want of life that welcomes each and all. And it seems to enter that world that is just there, since the Kingdom of God is already among us, and in us, and of course still to come in all its fullness, each of us, and all of us together in the ways we create, have the power to love this Great Table into being, in our own communities by all acts of forgiveness and welcome of each other. That welcome is both personal - what I do as well as what the community does - what political decision makers decide. The world's peoples in many countries are facing hunger for lack of bread because Russia and Ukraine are large exporters of the wheat and corn and other grains that the people use to make all our breads. War and war preparation are the great enemies of the Table God is preparing.
I really like your interpretation! I’ve been reading “After Jesus, Before Christianity,” and watching your “book club” with Tripp each week. So when I was listening to the parable read this morning, I suddenly thought about the Lukan context of the parable. The community that Luke wrote for may have been rent by the Gentile/Judaizing controversy. This makes it a parable of reconciliation. The man (a gentile?) who has been in search of other gods (temple prostitutes maybe?) and ended up in a spiritual desert, wants to turn his life around and reconcile with Abba God. The man who has steadfastly followed the law (a Pharisee?) is outraged that YHWH has thrown a banquet for this “sinner.” But Abba God reassures him that he is always part of the family and deserves the inheritance (a slap at early anti-semitism?) Abba God then urges him to be reconciled with his “brother in Christ” and join the party. We don’t know what the elder brother does, but the parable puts the question before the community, obviously urging reconciliation and table fellowship between Jew and Gentile, just as Paul frequently did in his letters.
Amy Jill Levine says there is no counting in the story of the lost son as there is in the lost sheep and lost coin stories. Since everyone is invited to the great banquet, it would be impossible to count the guests. I wish all churches here and now would just quit counting and make the table big enough for everybody.
Thank you, Diana. I love the thought about "more on the table than on the cross" and how that might change our perspective of Christianity. Food for thought here.
Here is an update to the comment I left 20 minutes ago: I recall Westar's "After Jesus Before Christianity" says it's about the foot washing. Can anyone imagine the Roman Emperor washing someone's feet. John is emphasizing that Jesus taught the need to serve others. John’s followers (at the time when the temple has been destroyed by the Roman Empire and the Gentile followers of Jesus have been evicted from the synagogue) should follow what Jesus would do if he was alive at this time.
Thanks, Diana, upon first reading, I’m thinking that most the persons of human history who are remembered over time, are revered for what they did or said while with alive on this earth with us, not for their death…except for Jesus of Nazareth. I very much resonate to your suggestion that the examples of abundant loving told in the parable and by all Jesus’ relationships…right up to and including his attitudes toward his murderers are the truly radical reality of the meaning of Jesus’ life of turning around his Jewish tradition’s “eye for an eye” attitudes toward those who do us wrong.
Luke is all about the shared meal, the meal as the sign of the Kingdom of God. The life of the church is centered around the meal and every connection Jesus makes in Luke is given its due in Acts. All the other themes meet there. Abudanza!
Diana, I did it! In our small parish, we agreed to shift the focus of the Passion from the Cross to the Table. I adapted readings from Maundy Thursday to follow the Liturgy of the Palms and preached a sermon on Jesus' final teaching to his disciples, the last time they were all together. I included a lot of juicy stuff the lectionary leaves out. At our second service, the deacon preached a narrative sermon in story form which covered the same themes. One of the best liturgies I've ever done and I want to thank your magnificent theological imagination for helping to make it possible. I introduced the theme to my congregation with the Prodigal Son, as you suggested and let it grow on us. It's a beautiful non-violent antidote in these violent times. Thank you. Carol Luther, St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Bolinas, California.
I think "supper club" is a good approximation to the Galilean ministry
As some who lives near Richmond, Virginia, I’ve had occasion in recent months to discuss the removal of Confederate monuments, and what should happen in the spaces formerly occupied by the statues. For me, the answer is clear.
Tables.
A table is the perfect form to fill those locations. Where stood figures of generals who led in battle, let’s build tables around which we can share nourishment. Instead of massive reminders of division and a legacy of separation, let’s look to an image of breaking bread. Of sacrament, if you like. Of the Home we all share.
I love your focus on meals as we read the scripture. Meals were the center of life during the decades between Jesus and "Christianity." How perfect and obvious it should be!! Following you on "Jesus De/constructed" has opened a whole new option for me as I struggle with the emphasis on the cross as the symbol during this season (garish and gruesome and horrific) and the welcome and inclusiveness of the meal that we were instructed to do in memory of him. We have gone so far astray. God bless you for your work!!
Wonderful insights...thank you so much!
Wonderful insights...thank you so much!
Thank you for your consistently beautiful reflections and thoughts…such gifts and blessings. Is there a way to contact you about a question?
Just reply to the email.
I have a dear friend who has been experiencing tremendous physical pain and suffering for months. He has recently gotten some medical help and relief. He has continuously asked me if there is any Christian literature dealing with finding/maintaining a relationship with God when going through tremendous suffering. Can you suggest some resources I could share with him? Thank you for your considering this request.
I have always thought the table was the whole purpose - opening the table. The world's table is available only conditionally. As the terrible warfare in Ukraine continues, and so many part of the planet are riven with "leaders" calling various constituencies to dismiss and even destroy others who live even next door, I realize not only how hungry I am for a different table, but how hungry the world's peoples are; that we are living in perennial want of life that welcomes each and all. And it seems to enter that world that is just there, since the Kingdom of God is already among us, and in us, and of course still to come in all its fullness, each of us, and all of us together in the ways we create, have the power to love this Great Table into being, in our own communities by all acts of forgiveness and welcome of each other. That welcome is both personal - what I do as well as what the community does - what political decision makers decide. The world's peoples in many countries are facing hunger for lack of bread because Russia and Ukraine are large exporters of the wheat and corn and other grains that the people use to make all our breads. War and war preparation are the great enemies of the Table God is preparing.
Thank you for information on where to donate!
I really like your interpretation! I’ve been reading “After Jesus, Before Christianity,” and watching your “book club” with Tripp each week. So when I was listening to the parable read this morning, I suddenly thought about the Lukan context of the parable. The community that Luke wrote for may have been rent by the Gentile/Judaizing controversy. This makes it a parable of reconciliation. The man (a gentile?) who has been in search of other gods (temple prostitutes maybe?) and ended up in a spiritual desert, wants to turn his life around and reconcile with Abba God. The man who has steadfastly followed the law (a Pharisee?) is outraged that YHWH has thrown a banquet for this “sinner.” But Abba God reassures him that he is always part of the family and deserves the inheritance (a slap at early anti-semitism?) Abba God then urges him to be reconciled with his “brother in Christ” and join the party. We don’t know what the elder brother does, but the parable puts the question before the community, obviously urging reconciliation and table fellowship between Jew and Gentile, just as Paul frequently did in his letters.
Amy Jill Levine says there is no counting in the story of the lost son as there is in the lost sheep and lost coin stories. Since everyone is invited to the great banquet, it would be impossible to count the guests. I wish all churches here and now would just quit counting and make the table big enough for everybody.
Wonderful reflection! All a bout how we are to live which was the purpose of the life that Jesus lived and invited us to follow.
It’s time that we give Christianity a chance!
Thank you, Diana. I love the thought about "more on the table than on the cross" and how that might change our perspective of Christianity. Food for thought here.
Here is an update to the comment I left 20 minutes ago: I recall Westar's "After Jesus Before Christianity" says it's about the foot washing. Can anyone imagine the Roman Emperor washing someone's feet. John is emphasizing that Jesus taught the need to serve others. John’s followers (at the time when the temple has been destroyed by the Roman Empire and the Gentile followers of Jesus have been evicted from the synagogue) should follow what Jesus would do if he was alive at this time.
Thanks, Diana, upon first reading, I’m thinking that most the persons of human history who are remembered over time, are revered for what they did or said while with alive on this earth with us, not for their death…except for Jesus of Nazareth. I very much resonate to your suggestion that the examples of abundant loving told in the parable and by all Jesus’ relationships…right up to and including his attitudes toward his murderers are the truly radical reality of the meaning of Jesus’ life of turning around his Jewish tradition’s “eye for an eye” attitudes toward those who do us wrong.
Luke is all about the shared meal, the meal as the sign of the Kingdom of God. The life of the church is centered around the meal and every connection Jesus makes in Luke is given its due in Acts. All the other themes meet there. Abudanza!