Sharing meals (Vol 3 No 52)
Sharing meals can be fulfilling;
They can build community;
But if ruled by strict exclusion
Will increase disharmony.
Table fellowship for Jesus
Was the way he constantly
Prized all people as more precious
Than the laws of purity.
Jesus welcomed poor and outcasts;
Treated them with dignity.
This displeased religious leaders;
They saw this as blasphemy.
When he ate with ‘unclean’ people
He affirmed humanity;
He gave hope and he gave promise
Built upon equality.
He accepted invitations
From the rich who were corrupt;
At some meals religious leaders
Could abuse; they could erupt;
Jesus did not let their status
Or their riches frighten him;
He used every meal to challenge;
Each event, however grim.
Jesus’ passion was God’s Kingdom –
Taught through hospitality;
He included on his guest list
All caught up in poverty.
Yet he used the conversations
With the table’s company
To confront all exploitation,
And promote his ministry.
We can learn from gospel stories;
Jesus calls to everyone;
All the rich and poor are welcome
To God’s meal. It has begun.
Sinners, pious, bad and ugly
All have places set for them;
Love, belonging, grace and mercy
Stream again from Bethlehem.
Tune Hyfrydol AHB 148(ii),173,439 TiS 217(i),233,517
3 52.pdf Mus