1/3/12 – Emmaus Potluck & Communion

Pio, pio!

Tonight we went to our first Emmaus Gathering in about 4 months so I didn't cook at home.  This Gathering is a potluck meal followed by a short religious service.  Sean and I have both taken part in an Emmaus Walk in the last few years. The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all."  (http://upperroom.org/emmaus/whatis/)  The Walk is open to Christians of all denominations but it is grounded in the beliefs of the Methodist Church.  Emmaus is ecumenical not only because members of many denominations participate, but because Emmaus seeks to foster Christian unity and to reinforce the whole Christian community. This is one of the great strengths and joys of the Emmaus movement. (http://upperroom.org/emmaus/whatis/structure.asp)


While enjoying fellowship and good food with my brothers and sisters in Christ it made me take a moment to think about how important food is not only for my physical sustenance but my spiritual sustenance too.  But with all the laughing and talking I ended up overeating a great deal.  To the point that I felt sick. I was there to hear the word of the Lord, not be a glutton.


During worship in the sanctuary I took notice of how beautiful the "place setting" was, if you will.  A small, plain table draped with a white cloth.  Beneath the cloth was the chalice and bread...the blood and the body.  Nothing fancy or grand, just a simple meal.  Nothing to physically over indulge in but yet completely fills me.  Taking some time to observe and celebrate what Christ did for us and sharing that experience with others moves me to tears every time.  While kneeling and receiving the blood and the body I realized that this is what I need to fill me, not KFC.  Jesus sacrificed not just who he was, but his life for me.  Who am I to continue to disrespect this gift of life by showing so little self-control?


So yes, I love to cook and I really enjoy food, but I enjoy the community (kind of like the word communion, huh?) aspect of it more.  I will continue to cook, eat, enjoy and probably lose sight of what my favorite part of a meal is, but I know I can always regain my focus by taking part in fellowship and communion.