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What does it mean to be invited to Jesus’s table? There’s no right or wrong answer, so I’d like to share some of my thoughts about it.
To start with, we could describe eating as an affirmation, both because we need food to nourish and sustain our bodies, and because eating is a demonstration of our desire to continue living. But being at the table isn’t just about eating; it’s also about being part of something: creating and maintaining relationships, participating in and building community, feeling valued, even feeling like part of a family. The many meanings associated with “being at the table” are about inclusion and acceptance.
When we think about it this way, throughout Latin American history, many of us have been denied a seat at the table because we think differently, because we’re perceived as being different, whether that’s because of our gender, our economic status, or any number of other reasons. This exclusion has been repeated throughout history since the time of Jesus, who instead honored and dignified those who had been excluded not just by society at large, but also by those who claimed to love and follow God.
Throughout my years of church attendance, I’ve participated in many services of Holy Communion. I remember the first time I took Communion as a teenager, I felt confronted by the way I was living. I had been told that in order to participate in Communion I had to be holy enough to deserve it, and I didn’t think I was. In that moment, I felt myself oscillating between fear, shame, and privilege, not understanding why this invitation was extended to some and not to others.
But what criteria does Jesus use to invite us to his table? Jesus always spoke about the kingdom of God, a kingdom that calls us to a collective reality and a dignified coexistence. Jesus’s invitation to his table calls us to uphold justice, dignity, and love as part of God’s plan.
Let’s take a look at a couple of examples:
- The woman with the perfume (see Mark 14:3-9). While Jesus was seated at the table, a woman poured a flask of expensive perfume on his feet. Some of those present couldn’t see past the economic implications of this action, but Jesus celebrated the woman and what she had done, reminding his disciples of the principles of his kingdom: giving and sharing.
- The last meal of Jesus and his disciples (see Mark 14:12-31). Here, I want to highlight how, even though the group was smaller than in some other occasions, everyone present participated equally, including those who thought differently than the majority. Around this table there were tax collectors, zealots, fishermen—and even the person who would eventually sell Jesus out. This is exactly the kind of table that welcomes those are different, where changes of heart can take place. It’s a symbol of inclusion.
When Jesus invited people to his table, he always included marginalized groups, provided equal opportunities, and distributed wealth fairly. Everything was shared and eaten by all.
As the church, are we following the example of Jesus? When we come to the table, how can we can affirm a faith that’s committed to transformation?