Our immediate extended family now has over fifty people on both sides, and covers four generational groups
so when we get together there is already a level of energy and excitement which needs to be harnessed and enjoyed.
As in these weeks we explore the image that Jesus uses of Feeding on His Body
we are invited to make the connection
that eating and drinking,
the powerful human communion
which we enjoy every day,
--- sometimes small and private,
and at other times, like birthdays,
is bubbly, exuberant and overflowing with excitement----
All these ideas usefully enliven our understanding
of what "feeding on Jesus" might mean.
Think back, for example, in this week on how you have eaten.
What is breakfast like?
Have there been special meals?
Are you hurried or aware at meal times?
With whom have you shared your meals?
And how has that sharing gone?
What does our eating say about our life?
The next question then is to use our day to day experience
to ask the same question about our relationship with Jesus.
Are we as aware of Jesus in our lives
as the tomatoes we have eaten in the last few days?
We make a mistake
if we think that this seemingly light or humorous reflection
is unimportant or trivial.
Neither eating,
nor our Godly relationship
are trivial.
A birthday party reminds us that these sorts of times of celebration
are very important in our life together.
The dynamics that flow so abundantly
which include our love, joy and celebration
when we gather with those who we know well
and to whom we are bound by family and friendship;
and also tension, unresolved hurt, anger and resentment
are the very substance of the gospel's operation.
It is no mistake, too,
that the common celebration of Christians is
Holy Communion
a commemoration of a meal.
And we are invited to bring all our experience of eating together
to our understanding of life.
When we gather and proclaim
that we feed on Christ
all the imagery of our eating together
comes to bear.
And just as we are thrilled
to feel and know we are really and fully alive when we eat together
so we discover that in sharing this meal
we encounter Jesus
and it enlivens us
and we are changed.
And so we pray:
BREAD OF HEAVEN
ON YOU WE FEED
FOR YOUR FLESH IS MEAT INDEED.
ALL OUR WANTS AND NEEDS ARE MET IN CHRIST.
LET US FEAST ON YOU, LIVING AND TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN. AMEN
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