Breaking Bread Together
“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47
We Methodist are noted for always passing the plate and having food when we gathered together. Who doesn’t like food? We have fabulous cooks to supply tasty dishes and delicious desserts for our body nourishment and our pleasure. But what does this have to do with being a Christian? Wendy Whiteside in her study book Food & Faith happily had answers I had never thought about.
“The early church recognized the benefit to the community of a regularly shared meal.” In fact, Communion doesn’t end with Holy Communion. When we gather as a church family for a meal, it is an “extension of the Communion table.” “The presence of God in our lives is shared in community when the faithful gather for substance in the form of fellowship and food table.” Wow!
In order to have community in a church, we need to eat together. Something we at Grosse Pointe UMC love to do. A district superintendent was appointed to a district in crisis. There was no community, morale was low. He met with the district pastors and asked them this question: “When was the last time you ate in each other’s home?” The answer was “never”. The DS left saying he could do nothing about morale if they were not eating together. They listened and changed. “Eating seals the bonds of friendship. Food draws us together and fellowship keeps us together.”
What happens after church in Fellowship Hall with our coffee hour is the community of faith open to all. It is a time for visitors, guests and members to gather together to exchange welcoming greetings, good wishes for the coming week and to show God’s love to each. Remember at the next soup supper, Lenten Dinner, retreat, Gumbopalooza, or church activity that features food “we are bound together as a community of faith in the sharing of food and fellowship”!
Prayer:
Most holy and gracious God, help us to learn more about your holy Word and your will for our lives. May this Lenten season be a time for us to remember that we are yours and you provide our every need. Feed us the bread of life that we may hunger no more. “Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven feed us till we want no more.” In Christ’s name we pray, Amen
Karen Bromley
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