Eucharistic exhortation

Deuteronomy 10:18: The Lord executes justice for the orphan and widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.

As Pastor Sumpter said in his sermon, the city of God is a city of love, and it’s no accident that the central ritual act in this city is a common meal. For Scripture, the shared meal is the paradigm of generous, self-giving love.

You can give alms to a beggar; you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse or CareNet; you can drop off old clothes at Goodwill. Those are good deeds, and the Lord is pleased. But giving alms and writing checks is charity from a distance, charity without personal presence.

At a common meal, we spend time with our table companions. Charity from a distance reinforces the superiority of the giver, but at a common table, we acknowledge that we are as needy as our guests. A common meal is charity without asceticism; we don’t watch our guests eat but eat with them. At the common table, we talk and laugh, sharing goods in personal communion.

Yahweh doesn’t just urge Israel to distribute food to orphans and widows, but commands Israel to invite orphans and widows to feast in His house. When He invites Israel to share a meal in His presence, He “eats” too, consuming the sacrificial portions as His bread.

This comes to a climax in Advent. In the wilderness, Yahweh sent manna down from heaven as food for His people, bread from a distance. Now He has come down in person. He becomes the true bread that comes down from heaven. He comes to be our Host and table companion, and orders us to go and do likewise.