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Eucharistic meditation for October 5:
We have seen Jesus at meals on several occasions in Luke's gospel, and each time the meal has been an occasion for instruction about the kingdom of God. When Jesus went to Levi's house, He was demonstrating by His meal practice that He is the Great Physician come to heal the sick. At Simon's house, He held up a sinful woman as an example of true devotion and discipleship. Here, for the first time, Jesus is the host of the meal, and here for the first time we find the Eucharistic actions Etaking, blessing, breaking, distributing, eating. And this meal, which Jesus hosts, is set in the context of mission.
Evangelism is all about calling people to come to share in the food that God has provided from heaven, with the people of God who are gathered at the table. Evangelism is a banquet invitation. The mission of the church is to go into the highways and byways to compel people to come into the banquet, for the banquet must be full.
Jesus' table is central, but we are to form our own meal practices by imitating what Jesus does at His table. Jesus serves as the host to 5000 people. He does not reserve His table to Himself, but generously opens His table up to thousands. The Father invites many to share at His table, and we should strive to be like our heavenly Father. The Father has, through the Son, shown supreme hospitality to us. Do you do the same to others?
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Saturday, October 04, 2003 at 09:48 PM
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