Meals Hold Possibilities

 By: Joanne Viola

 

We are getting ready for our annual family vacation. Part of the preparation is planning dinners for all of us and then the food shopping.

A week of meals, three meals a day for seven days and ten people. Ten of us of varied ages, preferences, and allergies.

Meals can be a sacred time – the time cut out of each day where we all come together to the table. It is special even when we all do not eat the same foods so in actuality, it really is not about the food.

It’s about the people, family, and presence.

The verse crossed my path and has had my attention for several days now:

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, 
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” 
(Acts 2:42, NASB) 

This time together was more about forging community than simply eating a meal. There were four practices which unified and bonded the group of believers:

• They taught the new believers the instruction and words Jesus had shared with them.
• They had fellowship, meaning they had close relationship with one another. They spent time together, discussing life and sharing goods. They helped one another with their daily challenges.
• They “broke bread”. This not only meant Communion as a remembrance of the Lord’s Supper, but also included the sharing of meals. They invited each other into their homes.
• Prayer. This was corporate prayer which occurred in their larger gatherings, and also prayer in their private homes. It took place in the dailyness of life. They carried the burdens of one another.

The Book of Acts shows us how to forge community, relationships, and connection.
It reminds us to make the goal of each meal
about the people, family, and presence.

Reflection: 
How can we begin to view the possibilities hidden in every meal? How do you encourage conversation and connection during mealtime?

 

Image by Temel from Pixabay