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{"id":190,"date":"2012-06-05T09:28:14","date_gmt":"2012-06-05T15:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/sacredilluminations\/?p=190"},"modified":"2012-06-05T09:28:14","modified_gmt":"2012-06-05T15:28:14","slug":"table-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/sacredilluminations\/2012\/06\/table-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Table Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

$\"\"$ <\/a>The recent liturgical seasons of Easter and Pentecost have stirred my thoughts about the first century Church\u2026. or actually, the first century gatherings<\/em> of those who responded to the call to follow the Way of Jesus. \u00a0I\u2019ve spent some time examining imagery of various archaeological sites where remnants and relics of those early communities offer hints to the humble beginnings of the Christian faith.<\/p>\n

From historical implications, these were table communities <\/em>of men, women, and children who were\u00a0seeking the sacred through the sharing of the stories of Jesus. \u00a0These were people who came together to break bread and share a cup of wine to re-member<\/em> Christ\u2019s Way of Love and Compassion.<\/p>\n

In the beginning, they gathered two by two on rocky hillsides, in small groups hidden away in secret rooms and in one another\u2019s homes. Over time these ever-growing communities eventually began to build sizable structures for worship to house the increasing crowds of followers. The physical centerpiece to their shared experience was a table, \u00a0the place where they broke bread and shared the cup of the New Covenant.<\/p>\n

The table itself differed depending on where the people came together. \u00a0It may in one instance have been a flax-cloth spread on a dirt floor, or a small low table made of cedar, or eventually a large flat stone set on stone pillars. \u00a0Perhaps the women of those early communities took turns baking the bread and the men shared the weekly offering of a goatskin filled with wine, carefully poured into a common cup.<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly, stories about Jesus were told, questions arising from the stories were discussed, and prayers for myriad needs were shared. Then the people gathered about their table, broke the bread and passed the cup as they remembered their Teacher, his parables, his miracles, and his Way. \u00a0They were fed and nourished by the bread, the wine, and their common experience.<\/p>\n

Our twenty-first century life is vastly different from the world of the first century followers of Christ. \u00a0Many of us today are spiritually hungry and seeking sustenance beyond Sunday\u2019s Church service. \u00a0What are we truly seeking? \u00a0What are we hungry for? \u00a0What is the invitation within our longing?\u00a0Is it possible we are being invited to look to <\/em>our long ago brothers and sisters in Christ as our model for \u00a0how to integrate the simplicity and passionate depth of table community into our lives?<\/p>\n

Imagine \u00a0you or a friend or family member baking a loaf of bread while stirring in prayer and intention for the bread to bless those who would share it later the day. \u00a0As evening approaches picture someone setting a simple table for the evening sacred meal. Carefully wine is poured into a glass, and finally candles are lit to signal all is ready..<\/p>\n

What might it feel like to gather with family, friends, and even a welcomed stranger or two at the table? \u00a0Envision the blessing of the gifts of food and Presence, the reading from Scripture, the offering of a song. \u00a0The supper continues with prayers for the needs of those gathered and the needs of the world, the Peace is shared, and then the bread is passed one to another\u2026.. \u201cBread for the Journey<\/em>.\u201d Followed by the cup\u2026. \u201cThe Cup of Blessing<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dinner comes afterwards with stories, laughter and celebration. \u00a0The celebration of being alive and part of the human family as a table community. \u00a0Consider how full all would feel after such a life-sustaining meal?<\/p>\n

In this time of spiritual seeking and hunger, perhaps the Spirit is inviting us to look to the past to inform our present. Maybe you are feeling called that it\u2019s time to gather round your table with family, guests, and the stranger in your midst to share bread for the journey and the blessing cup and feel the spirits of ancient brothers and sisters surrounding you and yours.<\/p>\n

If you listen closely in such a moment, you just might hear their voices echo through the vastness of time, from that deep taproot of faith\u2026. \u201cThis is the Way. \u00a0Amen and Amen<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"