Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Discovering the Gospel at Meal Tables in Luke

Discovering the Gospel at Meal Tables in Luke

Edition 2: November 2009

From the editors… Apostles is written by the same author as Luke, and there are some clear connections In this edition of The Mustard Seed we explore in the story across the two books, for the theme of hospitality. You can find out which we can keep an eye out. about some traditional practices from , Serbia and the United States from members of One of the important quirks in Luke is his our congregation – Krystyna Thomas, Sue attention to meals. in Luke seems Harris and Emily Milner. And they have even always to be on his way to or from a meal, generously offered some traditional recipes for or having a chat with other diners over a you to try out over ! meal. One commentator, Robert Karris, once famously claimed that In the profile from an historical church figure, as the story of Luke unfolds, it seems that you can learn about Athanasius. And, as we Jesus is actually put to death because of prepare for the new , get a sneak 1 preview of some of the key themes of this the way in which he eats! (He eats with year’s – Luke. anyone, Pharisees or tax collectors and sinners [5:29, 7:36, 11:37, 14:1, 19:5], he As we consider hospitality, and prepare to gets in trouble because his disciples don’t celebrate the birth of love in the darkest, most fast and even grain to eat on the unlikely places again this Christmas, may Sabbath [5:33, 6:2], and from time to time these offerings give you food for thought, and he really gets stuck into his fellow diners may your tables be places of peace and companionship. about the way they live [11:37-52]).

Regards, Kylie Crabbe, Bill Rush and Graeme In fact, in Luke meals are some of the key Harris. times in which Jesus really puts his money where his mouth is. The meals bring to Discovering the Gospel life a whole lot of the claims which Jesus has been making in his sayings elsewhere. at meal tables in Luke They demonstrate the acceptance and release which he proclaims, as he joins in Kylie Crabbe the feasting with Levi (5:29-32), or

Advent marks the beginning of a new responds to the ‘sinful’ woman who liturgical year – and this year we launch anoints his feet (7:36-50), or receives into Luke. Luke has a few of its own hospitality from Zacchaeus (19:1-10). distinctive quirks, as each Gospel does, But the meals also demonstrate the ways in and we will surely get stuck into them over the coming year. One important thing to remember about Luke is that it’s the only 1 Robert Karris, Luke: Artist and Theologian, Gospel with a sequel! The Acts of the Luke’s Passion Account as Literature, (New York: Paulist, 1985): p. 47.

Edition 2: November 2009 1

respond positively. The ‘insiders’ notice Contents the way other people respond and feel Editorial 1 uncomfortable, and then risk excluding Discovering the Gospel at themselves. Simon the Pharisee doesn’t meal tables in Luke 1 want to join in the meal with Jesus given Thanksgiving 3 this other ‘sinful’ woman is there (7:39), Athanasius of Alexandra 4 Martha holds back because she’s grumpy with Mary (10:40), the grumblers who see Christmas Service times 4 Jesus go to Zacchaeus’ house don’t under- Serbian Slava 5 stand why he would want to stay in the Polish 6 house of a ‘sinner’ (19:7).

The meals in Luke remind us of the great opportunity of the invitation to participate in what Jesus is doing, but they also recog- nise the cost of that participation. And a whole lot of people struggle. It’s a story which builds up across many meal scenes in the Gospel, challenging the other char- acters in the Gospel, until eventually we can’t help but see the challenge to our- selves as readers. We are invited to re- ceive the gracious, abundant hospitality of God.

We know from our own experience, that which some of the ‘insiders’ really sharing a meal with others builds up our struggle with Jesus. Pharisees and their relationships. It creates a kind of equality, scribes grumble when Jesus goes to Levi’s and even a kind of intimacy. In one of the great banquet (5:30), and although Simon final passages in Luke, the disciples (who the Pharisee hosts Jesus at a meal, he have, of course, struggled to understand hangs back grumpily because he dis- what Jesus is on about throughout the approves of the woman anointing Jesus’ Gospel) share an intimate moment with feet (7:39, 44-47). Jesus over a meal at Emmaus, and finally recognise him in the breaking of the bread And so we get to another one of the key (24:30-31). And when we come to Acts, themes in Luke’s Gospel – Jesus turning as the community tries to find its feet in a the social world upside down. Right from strange new world of Christian life, they when Jesus is a baby, Simeon takes him in make a point of gathering for meals, and his arms and says ‘this child is destined for ‘the breaking of the bread’ (Acts 2:46). the falling and the rising of many in Israel’ (2:34). And, of course, Jesus himself says As we also try to work out what this all ‘some are last who will be first, and some means for us, we continue to gather around are first who will be last’ (13:30). meal tables - including the table. As we come to Christmas, may your But the thing about meals is that they show meal table be a place in which the hungry how this happens. It’s no divine punish- are filled and relationships are deepened. ment, or supernatural thing. It’s because And may you rediscover again the un- of how the powerful and important them- reserved acceptance of our true host, Jesus. selves respond. Jesus declares a great acceptance, a generous openness to all, but 2009. only those who are ‘outsiders’ in the world

2 The Mustard Seed

Emily Milner’s reflections on and memories of

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an American holiday, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It began in 1619 in the colony of Virginia. In 1621 the pilgrims arrived at Plymouth and a thanksgiving religious service was held there.

As soon as the colony was established and We then start drifting away for home, with the crops harvested, the pilgrims held a time for reflection on our blessings. We dinner with the indigenous people who had always have a ‘blessing of the food and helped them get established. This began a family’ at the start of the meal. custom we continue to this day. It was made a federal holiday in 1863. As I worked for The Birmingham Newspaper I had to work the next day. Today we celebrate with a big meal, each That is our largest paper of the year. Some family bringing their speciality. We have businesses give the next day as a holiday. turkey and dressing and/or ham, and for vegetables, sweet potatoes, mashed irish Sweet Potato cake potatoes, green beans, coleslaw and other salads. Usually also, macaroni and cheese, Combine: pickles and olives, celery and cranberry 1 cup mashed sweet potato sauce – and then for dessert, , a 2 eggs, beaten cake (see recipe below) and hot rolls. 1 cup sugar Coffee and iced tea are served during the 1/2 cup dark syrup meal. 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup hot water On Thanksgiving morning Macy’s depart- 1 teaspoon baking soda ment store in New York has a big parade with huge balloons. These are comic In a separate bowl, sift together: characters. They fly down Fifth Avenue 2 1/2 cups plain flour with all the marching bands. It is on TV 2 teaspoons baking powder for several hours so that keeps the kids 1 teaspoon cinnamon happy while the grown-ups prepare the 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg meal. We eat at about 12 or 1 o’clock Then add to wet mixture and bake 170 before cleaning up the kitchen. The men degrees for about 1 hour. Test for usually watch the big football game readiness with a knife in the centre. between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. (Variation: 1 cup of pecans and 1 cup

raisins may be added to the batter.) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * My idea of Christmas is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that? Bob Hope

Edition 2: November 2009 3

A Profile from Christian History

ATHANASIUS OF ALEXANDRA Bill Rush

Outside the pages of the and this, the Creed set out in the service of , Athanasius is probably the person Holy Communion (Uniting in p. to whom we are most indebted for the 62), insists that Jesus Christ was ‘begotten, preservation of the Christian faith. He was not made’ i.e. he is the fully human born about AD 298 and later became expression of God himself who Bishop of Alexandria in Egypt – surviving experienced life as we do with all its several periods of disfavour and exile. He limitations – joys, sorrows, and everything was the first to identify the 27 books that else in between. Today, Arian beliefs are became our present New Testament. John held most obviously by groups such as Wesley, familiar with the writings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarians, and by early Church Fathers from his Oxford some extreme liberals. days, mentioned him in the last letter he wrote before his death in 1791. One of Athanasius’s most famous tracts is ‘On the Incarnation’. What, he asks, is the During his lifetime, Athanasius was in meaning of the birth of the Babe of constant theological battle, defending the ? The writer’s insight is that, against the followers of with amazing humility, God became a Arius. Almost forgotten by churches human being so that human beings might today, the later Athanasian Creed (not become divine. By this Athanasius doesn’t actually written down by him) nevertheless mean that we will be equal to God, but that expresses the bishop’s firmly held Trinit- God intends that his image within us arian stance against that of his opponents. should be restored to its intended goodness Essentially the Arians believed that Jesus and beauty. So even if the coloured lights, was not the pre-existent Logos (the word) the presents, pudding and – and that we read of in John’s gospel, but a maybe even the , wise men and created being of the highest moral worth – shepherds – are stripped away, Christmas the Son of God by grace or adoption. In remains an event of wonder, hope, and heaven, he is subordinate to God the celebration. Father, rather like the top . Against * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Christmas Service times at Armadale Uniting Church

Blue Christmas – 7 pm Sunday 20 December 2009. A short reflective service for those who come to Christmas with mixed feelings or grieving absent loved ones.

Christmas Eve – 7 pm Thursday 24 December 2009. A service of carols and readings.

Christmas Day – 9.30 am Friday 25 December 2009. Christmas Day celebration.

Regular service times - 10 am each Sunday. All are very welcome.

4 The Mustard Seed

The Serbian Slava

Sue Harris

Every Serbian family has a patron Saint, or products derived from animals (so fish and observance of that Saint’s day is one will be served). of the most important days in the year for a Serb, ranking with Christmas and Easter But the hospitality and feasting, whilst and certainly far more important than an important, is only one element in the cele- individual’s birthday. It’s known as the bration. Preparation for the Slava involves Krsna Slava (Patron Saint’s Day), or more preparing a special cake (the Kolač) and commonly just the Slava. the Slava wheat (the Koljivo or Zito). The Slava wheat (a symbol of the Resurrection) While other Orthodox faiths have similar is boiled for a number of hours and then observances (such as name days, where the sweetened and flavoured with honey, nuts individual celebrates the Saint whose name and sometimes nutmeg and cloves. they bear, as in Russian orthodoxy), it’s Although the Kolač is referred to as a said that the significance attached by Serbs cake, it’s actually more like bread, being to their Slava is deeper and more extensive made from wheat flour, yeast and water. than anything found in other peoples. The top of the Kolač is also adorned with There are regions where Serbs are of the the sign of the Cross and often the tradit- Roman Catholic faith, and even they ional Serbian 4 Cs. It is also sometimes frequently maintain the tradition of the imprinted with a seal (IC-XC NI-KA – see Slava. Traditionally, the occasion brings at the head of this article) meaning “Jesus all of the family together to celebrate the Christ Conquers” and may have other Slava. The right to hold it is inherited symbols that relate to the family. from the head of the household (normally the father ) and passed to the sons. It is On the day of the Slava, the head of the usual, for as long as a family patriarch is household takes the Kolač, the Koljivo and alive, for his sons to celebrate under his some red wine to the Church to be blessed. roof, unless they move far away (which is As part of the blessing, candles are lit for happening more in modern times). the family’s health and also for the repose Married women normally celebrate their of the departed. The Slava cake is cut in husband’s saint. the form of a cross and then broken, and some of the wine poured over it. On the day of the Slava, friends and acquaintances come to the house to share When entering the home, every guest is in the family’s hospitality. No invitation is offered some of the Slava wheat. They necessary. No trouble is spared in greet the family with the words “Sretna providing great quantities of food, Slava” (“Happy Slava”). including soup, sarma (cabbage rolls), pork, chicken, veal, salads plus an During the Slava feast the Slava candle extensive array of delicious cakes. However, if the Slava falls on a fasting (Continued at foot of next page) day, the food will reflect this, with no meat

Edition 2: November 2009 5

Polish Christmas Traditions –

Krystyna Thomas

Each year in due season, a memory from by everyone, including the children and my childhood in the 1940’s vividly even the baby. Each person would break presents itself. The setting is a large off a small part of the wafer from each family country home in Poland. It is other's piece, expressing their love, () the most sacred appreciation and their best wishes for the day in Poland's yuletide calendar, and coming year. I find this revered Polish traditionally a day of fasting. My cousins custom very beautiful; it is continued by and I are looking excitedly and impatiently our family, and all the other Polish people out the window, through the snow I know. A number of my friends always covered garden, up into the sky. We had to ask me to share this ritual with them look out for the first star. We suddenly see during the Christmas period. it, we shout with excitement; the ‘fast’ is now over and the celebrations can begin. After the sharing of the oplatek wafer We could now go to see the Christmas everyone sat down for the meal. An extra tree, the door to the room had been locked chair and place was set “for the stranger,” all day. We ran into the room. I still a custom which gives hospitality and remember how I was overcome by the Christian charity to strangers and the magic, the wonder, and the beauty: also hungry. If more than one stranger came to the fragrance of pine. The tree was so the door they would be given food to take beautifully decorated, and included the away: no one would go hungry. Tradition- paper chains and decorations which we ally the Christmas Eve meal is meatless, had made in the previous weeks. consisting of 12 dishes (for the twelve apostles). Typical dishes include barszcz The large table was set with the best china, wigilijny z uszkami (Christmas Eve and had a starched white tablecloth, with with mushroom dumplings), sledze straw laid under it. The straw was to (herring), carp in aspic, breaded white fish, remind us of baby Jesus lying in the Gołąbki (meatless cabbage rolls), and . Before we sat down to eat we had noodles with poppyseed. Desserts might the ‘breaking of the oplatek’ (a wafer include nuts, tangerines, chocolates, similar to communion host) which had makowiec (poppyseed roll), mazurek (a been blessed. This started with my jam-filled flat pastry), piernik (honey-spice grandfather, the eldest man, and followed cake), pierniczki ( cookies),

______Serbian Slava (from previous page)

remains alight and the family head does sorrow (as in fact it was celebrated during not sit down. the years of Turkish domination).

Although the feast is generous and joyful, Some common Saints’ days are St. Serbs are taught that it not be Nicholas (falling on 19 December 19), St. overdone, and that the celebration should George (6 May), St. John the Baptist (20 be kept to moderate out of respect to the January), Saint Demetrius (8 November) Saint. However, the Slava is always and the Archangel Michael (21 November) celebrated, both in times of happiness or (which is Sue’s family’s Saint’s Day).

6 The Mustard Seed

kompot (fruit compote), cognac, liqueurs, We finished these celebrations in time to mead and krupnik (traditional sweet go to the midnight , also known as alcohol similar to a liqueur, based on grain (Mass of the Shepherds). spirit and honey). Each Christmas Eve we make Barszcz After the meal we sang koledy (Christmas Wigilijny z Uszkami (Christmas Eve Carols); the carols I remember are Jezus borsch with mushroom dumplings). I have Malusieńki (Baby Jesus) and Wśród a recipe handed down the generations, how Nocnej Ciszy (Silent Night). During the many I do not know. My recipe is from Carols we heard a loud knocking on the my grandmother. A few years ago I found door; it was with a bag of a recipe for borsch and which is basically presents, he gave one present to each child. the same; it dates back to the beginning of It was so exciting, even though some of the 16th Century. The recipe is in Old the little ones were frightened. Most years Polish Traditions in the Kitchen and at the we did not receive presents at Christmas, Table, by Maria Lemnis Henryk Vitry. but on 6th December, the name day of Warsaw : Interpress, c1979 and or Santa Claus. http://www.amazon.com/Traditions- Kitchen-Hippocrene-International- Cookbook/dp/0781804884 - #

* * * * * * * * * * *

Christmas Barszcz with – Krystyna Thomas

To vegetable stock add mushroom stock. Wash beetroot, cook unpeeled beetroot until tender. Peel and grate cooked beetroot. To stock add grated beetroot, lemon, sugar, and pepper. Bring just to boil (if it is boiled the soup will lose its beautiful colour). Cover pot and let stand for at least 1hour. Strain through normal strainer, Add Beet Sour juice then strain through fine strainer. OPTIONAL – crushed clove of garlic 15 minutes before serving. Serve soup hot with uszka, sprinkle with finely chopped dill. NOTE - Easy option for (dumplings) – use bought tortellini.

Barszcz Uszka for Christmas Barszcz Uszka filling Quantity for 16 people 20- 40g dried mushrooms 1.25 kg beetroot 10 fresh mushrooms [without stalks 200g approx] 5 litres vegetable stock, include carrots, celeriac, 250g with stalks carrot, parsnip, leek, onion, cabbage allspice and 1 onion [large] black pepper grains. 1 tbls Butter 500 ml stock from dried mushrooms [from making 2 tbls Breadcrumbs uszka filling] 1-2 tbls Parsley finely chopped 2 - 3 tbls lemon juice 1 egg white 1glass red wine salt 3 tsp sugar pepper - ground pepper to taste dill Rinse dried mushrooms, cover with cold water and [Optional garlic clove ] soak overnight. Simmer mushrooms in the soaking

Edition 2: November 2009 7

water until tender. Drain, save mushroom stock for approx 1mm. Cover any pastry not being used with Barszcz. Finely chop the onion and fry in butter a damp tea towel. Cut pastry into 5.5cm squares. until golden. Chop the mushrooms very finely, add Place small amount of mushroom filling on each onion, breadcrumbs, parsley, egg white, salt and square, moisten two sides with water and fold into pepper to taste. a triangle; press edges to seal. Moisten one edge of Can be frozen. the bottom triangle flap with water, and press together with the other flap to form triangle.. Uszka Dough 2 cups plain flour Bring water to fast boil, add uszkas, bring back to 2 eggs boil and simmer approx 5 minutes. When cooked 1 egg yolk drain, place uszkas on tray, separate so they are not 1 tsp salt touching [can stick together] and cover with cloth. warm water Can be frozen on the trays, when frozen can be put into a freezer bag. Sift flour onto a board and make a well. Into the well with a fork, mix in the lightly beaten eggs, salt PS make a SAMPLE of a couple of uszkas and and enough warm water to make dough. Knead cook as above to test for size, pastry thickness and dough until smooth. Divide dough into 4 pieces, cooking time cover 3 pieces with Gladwrap. Knead each piece, and pass through Pasta maker - roll out pastry to

Making the Uszkas (mushroom dumplings)

Armadale Uniting Church, 86A Kooyong Road, ARMADALE Vic 3143 [email protected] (03) 9509 8958 www.armadale.unitingchurch.org.au

8 The Mustard Seed

Top View