Why I Appreciate Trinity #9: Potluck and Eucharist

#9. Potlucks - Eucharist
“Centuries of secularism have failed to transform eating into something strictly utilitarian. Food is still treated with reverence. A meal is still a rite—the last “natural sacrament” of family and friendship, of life that is more than “eating” and “drinking.” To eat is still something more than to maintain bodily functions. People may not understand what that “something more” is, but they nonetheless desire to celebrate it. They are still hungry and thirsty for sacramental life.” Alexander Schmemann. For the Life of the World. SVS Press, 16.

“...Why, when a pastor is before more people in Sunday morning worship than at any other time in the week, do we mumble through vague, poorly constructed, almost inaudible prayers, slouch around the altar as if we were fixing a washing machine rather than making Eucharist; chatter incessantly about nothing throughout the entire service, and, in general, appear to go to great lengths to give people the impression that we are doing nothing of any consequence, leading them nowhere of any great importance, and dealing with material of no particular significance.” William H Willimon, Pastor. Abingdon. Nashville. 70.

Yesterday was a perfect example. We ate together all day at the Lord’s table and at our normal meals. Healthy families are marked by common time at a common table. Our regular reception of the Lord’s Supper is not an afterthought or perfunctory, but the redemptive culmination and celebration of the presence of the Word of God incarnate, Jesus Christ. In a culture that values casualness and informality as more holy and authentic, I love the reverence in which you receive and adore the Lamb of God. In the recent worship survey, the general feeling was that frequent reception of Holy Communion was important to the spiritual life of Trinity. I agree!

Our regular times at potlucks and other meals don’t serve just a function to facilitate a small group or a mission presentation or Sunday night discipleship activities. They are intentional times for the widow to be placed in a family, and a single parent to be membered into a more extended family. They are times for adoptive grandparents and grandkids to tell stories and gain a bigger perspective. They are also a celebration of the global nature of Trinity. Fusion is an important culinary trend, and Trinity, you are trendsetters. Molé and pancit and mostacchioli  and bratwurst and even more typically Lutheran “bars”. Yum. Trinity, how I love you, let me count the ways.