Meals That Transform Us
Some meals are memorable because the food was outstanding. We remember other meals because of the occasions they commemorate such as a birthday, holiday, anniversary, and so on. Still other meals remain with us because of what happened at the meal itself. Can you recall a meal at which your life changed in some way, such as becoming engaged, or receiving a significant gift, or learning important news?
And sometimes the meal itself changes us. It creates the occasion that helps us see things differently. When my youngest son was twelve years old, one summer evening he took it upon himself to make supper for the family. No one asked him to make taco salad. He just did it! When he called us to dinner, he was beaming with pride. And his enthusiasm was infectious. Our conversation was animated, and we truly enjoyed one another like we had not done for quite some time. It brought us together as a family and healed some rifts. That was a transformative meal, and ten years later is still a clear memory.
In Bobby Fisher's song Bread of Life you'll hear these lyrics:
Transform our lives anew.
Open our eyes so that we might see
your presence in one another.
The Gospels contain accounts of at least a couple of transformative meals. The Last Supper comes immediately to mind, which of course is the story upon which our celebration of Eucharist is based. But there's another story in John's gospel that is also quite powerful.
Take a moment to read "Breakfast on the Beach" — John 21. Shortly after Jesus was crucified, the disciples went fishing. They fished all night and caught nothing. A man from the shore called out to them to toss their nets on the other side of the boat. Then they made a great catch, and John recognized the man as the Lord. Peter jumped in the water and swam ashore. The others hauled the fish. They arrived to a meal of bread and fish, and as they sat around the campfire, no one had to ask who the man was, for they knew it was the Lord. Then an extraordinary reconciliation took place. Three times, Jesus asked Peter "Do you love me?" Three times Peter declared his love for Jesus, allowing Peter to reconcile his three adamant denials of just days earlier.
It's a powerful story that takes place over an ordinary meal. And it leaves us with at least two questions. In what ways are we called to "toss our nets on the others side?" How are we challenged to see our lives, our relationships, our problems in a different light, from a different angle? Second, how do we make sure we share meals and spend quality time with those whom we love? How do we create intimate time and space that allow us to reconcile and be transformed?
Bobby Fisher's song "Bread of Life" also contains these lyrics:
Open our eyes to see
the good that lives in each of us . . .
And when we fail to see the good,
when friendships falter and crumble,
give us the courage to forgive
that we may live in peace.
When is your next meal with family members or a loved one? Bring your whole self — body, mind, heart, spirit — to that meal, and remain open to the possibility of transformation.
We pray . . .
O God, we are grateful for the gift of food shared with those whom we love. As we enjoy the bounty you have provided, may we be truly present to one another, and may we remain open to your transformative power in our lives. Amen.
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Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.