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We set the table to reflect those without abundance, even as we believe in God’s abundance. We thought about those who might not have tables, or whose tables likely lack tablecloths. We thought of those who now lack water, and may be drinking from bottled water for months.<\/p>\n
Compassion has a way of leaking out. Because even as we think about those with damaged water systems, we thought of others who never had access to water, and of refugees trying to fill canteens along their way, and of those living in droughts, and of those whose water systems are unsafe… and the table expanded.<\/p>\n
We picked one bread, even when sometimes we fill the altar and the table with bread and wheat in abundance, even when one bread can’t represent all the breads of the world, because while God has made abundance, many can’t access it. Some because of natural disasters, some because of human disasters, some because of the structures of human society. But also, one bread may represent all bread just as well as 10 or 20 do, because humans are SO diverse, and we make food in a lot of different ways. I didn’t know about this Appalachian Salt Rising Bread, and I’ve lived in the Appalachians for almost all my life. (I’m told Western New Yorkers may be familiar with it in some cases.)<\/p>\n
Paul, in Romans, admonishes the followers of Jesus’s Way to avoid judgment and avoid hindering each other. I’ve always been particularly fond of this passage, and the way it acknowledges different places people may fall on their faith journey. Someone may need to avoid alcohol to be whole, if so, don’t tempt them with alcohol. Someone may need to avoid meat to meet their moral conscious. If so, feed them without giving them meat. If possible, avoid drinking alcohol or eating meat in front of someone who needs to abstain. Let people be faithful as they need to be faithful but most importantly DO NOT GET IN THEIR WAY.<\/p>\n
I like the pragmatism of it, and the open-mindedness. I also adore the reminder not to judge, including not to judge how someone chooses to be faithful.<\/p>\n
It fits this World Communion mindset of remembering how different we are. Some denominations will set their tables with wine \u2013 we don’t to make our table accessible to alcoholics, but each tradition has its value. Some will kneel at a rail, some will gather for actual meals, some will receive God’s gifts in groups, and the words of blessing will be offered in so very many different languages. And yet, in all the differences, one table remembering God’s love as known though Jesus.<\/p>\n
Psalm 133 nails it.<\/p>\n
How very good and pleasant it is
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0when kindred live together in unity!<\/p>\n
Amen, and may God help make it so, and may we help too! Amen<\/p>\n
October 6, 2024<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rev. Sara E. Baron\u00a0<\/p>\n
First United Methodist Church of Schenectady\u00a0<\/p>\n
603 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pronouns: she\/her\/hers\u00a0<\/p>\n
http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FUMCSchenectady<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"