My friend, Kathleen Fannin, retired chaplain for Momouth College, wrote this:
In
2009 I published a book of meditations for college students. I post
the entry for April 6th today as a commentary on the "religious
objection" legislation in Indiana.
April 6 – Table-Sharing
"Going to God's table is a radical act which says we do not accept the world's judgment of who is worthy, who is good, who is bad.” –Rev. Dr. Marilyn Stavenger, Professor Emeritus, Eden Theological Seminary
We are different from one another, and rather than burying that which is strange in ourselves, our faith community needs to be one place in which that strangeness is not merely tolerated, but welcomed as a gift. The whole idea of hospitality, as expressed over and over again in the gospels, is one of welcoming those who are "other." Jesus welcomed all those whom first century society had marginalized—tax collectors, women, the sick, the poor— anyone who was imprisoned in any way. God has modeled this hospitality for us from the beginning of time.
The Bible tells us that, as Christians, despite our differences, we are all part of one whole, the body of Christ—a whole which is not complete without all of its parts (see 1st Corinthians 12). Too often, I think we find it easy to forget whose table it is at which we gather. It is not our table, but God's. Worthiness is not the requirement, which is why it is so radical, especially in a culture that is oriented toward individualism and achievement, a culture that bases the worth of persons on their abilities, accomplishments, and their conformity to the perceived norm.
"Going to God's table is a radical act which says we do not accept the world's judgment of who is worthy, who is good, who is bad." How many people would refuse to take communion if they thought this was a part of its meaning, part of what they were saying by their actions? How many of us focus on the bread and the wine during communion, thinking of Jesus, but failing to consider who else might be at the table--or who else should be but is not because there is no vacant chair or because the table is fenced? When there is not room for everyone, for whatever reason, have we truly gathered around God's table?
April 6 – Table-Sharing
"Going to God's table is a radical act which says we do not accept the world's judgment of who is worthy, who is good, who is bad.” –Rev. Dr. Marilyn Stavenger, Professor Emeritus, Eden Theological Seminary
We are different from one another, and rather than burying that which is strange in ourselves, our faith community needs to be one place in which that strangeness is not merely tolerated, but welcomed as a gift. The whole idea of hospitality, as expressed over and over again in the gospels, is one of welcoming those who are "other." Jesus welcomed all those whom first century society had marginalized—tax collectors, women, the sick, the poor— anyone who was imprisoned in any way. God has modeled this hospitality for us from the beginning of time.
The Bible tells us that, as Christians, despite our differences, we are all part of one whole, the body of Christ—a whole which is not complete without all of its parts (see 1st Corinthians 12). Too often, I think we find it easy to forget whose table it is at which we gather. It is not our table, but God's. Worthiness is not the requirement, which is why it is so radical, especially in a culture that is oriented toward individualism and achievement, a culture that bases the worth of persons on their abilities, accomplishments, and their conformity to the perceived norm.
"Going to God's table is a radical act which says we do not accept the world's judgment of who is worthy, who is good, who is bad." How many people would refuse to take communion if they thought this was a part of its meaning, part of what they were saying by their actions? How many of us focus on the bread and the wine during communion, thinking of Jesus, but failing to consider who else might be at the table--or who else should be but is not because there is no vacant chair or because the table is fenced? When there is not room for everyone, for whatever reason, have we truly gathered around God's table?
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