Discovering the Gospel at Meal Tables in Luke
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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 Poland, 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. Jesus 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 Christmas! meal. One New Testament 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 liturgical year, get a sneak 1 preview of some of the key themes of this the way in which he eats! (He eats with year’s Gospel – 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 collect 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 Christmas traditions 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 Communion 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 Advent 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, pecan pie, 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 gospels and this, the Creed set out in the service of epistles, Athanasius is probably the person Holy Communion (Uniting in Worship 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.