Do you like eating out? There’s a little hostelry near a favourite holiday haunt of mine in France which I love to visit. In fact, one of the first things I do on arriving is see if “Les Quatre Vents” is still there and in business. So far, so good…. Nothing better than their meal of the day, a bottle of house red and the company of friends… it isn’t just the food, or the place, or the company that makes these times so enjoyable, it’s a rich mix of everything, and it goes down into habit and history and tradition and the real meaning of things. I would say that we talk at more depth and with more honesty over a meal than in any other situation. Small talk sits happily alongside exploring the big issues. And it’s where you get to know people better – think of the nervous boy/girlfriend invited for Sunday lunch to “meet the folks”!
In these days after Easter we read of Jesus, the recently died and resurrected Jesus, cooking fish and eating breakfast with his friends early in the morning by Galilee 2000 years ago. He was known for enjoying a meal with all sorts of “undesirable” people; in doing that he showed that all of us, no matter our status in life, are welcomed by God. That was one of the things that got him into trouble with the authorities! And then we read these amazing words – an invitation to all of us: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Not to pray, not to worship, not to read or explain the scriptures, but to share a meal with us. That offer is still on the table.
Blessings,
Janet
The Revd Janet Tebby
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