SOME THOUGHTS ON THE POWER OF SHARING A TABLE

Beth and I eat most of our meals alone these days, but that wasn’t always the case. When our children were young, the dinner table was the center of our family life. It’s where manners were learned—stories were told—advice was given—and family identity was shaped.  I miss those days and rejoice once or twice a year when our family gathers at the table.



There is something sacramental about sharing a meal with other people. Strangers become friends. Generations are united. Children are taught. Sins are forgiven. Relationships are mended. God is present.

The last chapter of John’s Gospel reminds us of this. Peter and his friends had gone back to their former way of life—fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They‘d been fishing all night.

“When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.” (John 21:9)

The disciples had breakfast on the shore with Jesus as their cook. The breakfast was a precursor to Peter's forgiveness and reconciliation for denying Jesus. 

Ever since we fell into sin, God has been bringing us back to his table. Moses, Aaron and others went up a mountain where they saw God, and they ate and drank (Exodus 24:11). Likewise, the Israelites ate at the temple in the presence of the Lord (Deuteronomy 12:7)  Eating with God is a sign of our intimate fellowship with him.

The night before his death, Jesus sat at a table with his disciples. They broke bread, drank wine, and Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).  Jesus was revealed to the Emmaus Road travelers when he blessed and broke the bread (Luke 24). It’s a reminder—whenever we receive the Lord’s Supper, we are having table fellowship with God.

In Luke 12:37, Jesus tells us when he returns he will dress as a servant, have us recline at the table, and wait on us. He cooked for the disciples on the shore, was made known in breaking bread, and will be our waiter in the age to come. Jesus has made us children of God, and we will eat at his table forever.

Bishop Jeff Greenway

The next time you sit down at the table, remember, it can be sacramental.