I heard a podcast host recently talk about bigotry. One of the people on the show was down on the idea that bigotry gets better when people are in contact with the people they hate. I think there is good evidence for them being right; plenty of people have harmed their neighbors because they were close enough to hurt them.
At the same time, I think God empowers us to choose love, and few things grow love in us more than sitting together around a table. Last week, some of us gathered around tables at the Frisco Public Library for an interfaith event where we had guided discussions with people of other spiritual beliefs. Granted, as far as I know, everyone there came with a loving attitude, but I think everyone left with a deeper love for our fellow humans. All because we gathered at tables to talk.
It makes me think Jesus knew what he was doing when he instituted Communion, gathering at Christ’s table, where all are welcome and all can grow in love through grace. Sometimes, love transforms us through grand and dramatic means. More often, I think love transforms us around things as simple as tables.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Luke