Meals (Without Wheels)

I don't expect to get a lot of responses to this entry. Seems folks like to read Scriptural analysis but don't like to discuss it much. Some are even offended by it. Well, it's my blog and I'll post what I want. It's a long post. A bit scholarly. Heavy with Biblical references to the Book of Luke. So here you go. Jay

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No song reference. But a long email with lots of Scriptural cites.

It’s no secret that I occasionally like to cook (ok, you can roll your eyes here), that I enjoy preparing a feast for a lot of people, and in general find the process of combining ingredients to create something that nearly all of our guests will appreciate, enjoy, and remember, to be something which enriches my soul. The latest incarnation of that experience was being me bringing a casserole to Joyce, our neighbor to the west, who lost her husband this past week. In return, she delivered a very lovely thank you card telling us we were such good neighbors. I just passed it off like any Iowan would – “it’s just what we do.” Her family from Rockwell City understood when I said that.

Fr. Plough also enjoys this process of cooking for others, and even more, being a guest when invited to dinner. And his homily this past Sunday, based on the Gospel of Luke, reflected on all of the references to meals in which Jesus partook – either as host or guest.

I cannot doubt Fr. Plough, his curriculum vitae, his pastoral credentials, or his experience as both a Biblical scholar teaching in a seminary or as a parish priest. But I’m just one of those folks who wish to see/read/understand/verify for myself. Not a skeptic per se, but just someone who likes to see things for himself.

Fr. Plough talked about the 12 times (outside of The Lord’s Supper) in which Jesus was present for a meal in the Gospel of Luke. And then also delved into the reasons behind the meals/feasts. We share meals or hold feasts for several reasons; to celebrate (a wedding, a baptism, a confirmation, a graduation, a birthday…) to commiserate (a funeral luncheon, even though there’s probably a lot of laughter taking place), a solemnity (knowing this could be the last time one gets to break bread with someone), to share a common faith (which is what we do in the Eucharist every Sunday). I’ve been involved in all of those types of meals. For that matter, all of you reading this probably have, too. So let's get started...
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The cites and the meaning behind the meals in the Gospel of Luke are as follows:

Luke 4:1-4 “1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led in the Spirit in the wilderness
2 during forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered.
3 And the devil said unto him, if thou art the Son of God, command this stone that it become bread.
4 And Jesus answered unto him, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone.”

Jesus was tempted with food by Satan. He did not succumb.
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1 Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
2 and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.
4 And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.
6 And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking;
7 and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

Jesus filled the fisherman’s nets so that a great multitude could be fed. (The particular cite got messed up and I couldn't find a fix for it. Guess you'll have to open your Bibles.
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Luke 4: 29-33: And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.
30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
33 And they said unto him, The disciples of John fast often, and make supplications; likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.

Jesus dines with those perceived to be his enemies.
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Luke 5 : 1-11: “ 1 Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
2 and he saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes out of the boat.
4 And when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets.
6 And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking;
7 and they beckoned unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was amazed, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken;
10 and so were also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.

Jesus showed them he was the Son of God – and gave them a miracle.
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Luke 6: 1-5 Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
2 But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?
3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him;
4 how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone?
5 And he said unto them, The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.

Jesus showed once again His credentials as the Son of God.
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Luke 7: 36-39 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
37 And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
38 and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.

Christ showed that he felt himself not to be above any man, including a Pharisee, but willing to be the sacrificial lamb for all men.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Luke 9: 12-17 12 And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.
13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.
14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.
15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16 And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
17 And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

Jesus feeds the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fishes.
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Luke 10: 3-8 3 Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.
4 Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

Jesus was telling his disciples that they would be taken care of – be grateful for what you are given to eat.
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Luke 10: 29-37 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
30 Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
34 and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.
36 Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?
37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Jesus told his disciples through a parable to share what you have, including food, to those who are in need.
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Luke 10: 38-41 38 Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things.

Christ told Martha that spiritual food was every bit as important as physical nourishment.
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Luke 11:5:8 5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
7 and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee?
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.

Jesus reminds us that charity is important.
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Luke 12: 27-29 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Simple translation: God’s got your back.
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After that… well, The Lord’s Supper. Of which mountains of books have been written.

An apparent theme – a meal, sharing food, is a chance for fellowship. A sharing of faith. A sharing of experiences, of stories. Fellowship – in our shared faith, I am a fellow of Christ’s, just as you are. There’s a fine word to look up and know – fellowship.

One large difference between Fr. Plough and me – he doesn’t mind doing the dishes after the meal.