We’ve heard and probably said it ourselves: 2020 has been an awful year. On top of everything that has happened, as if we haven’t had enough heartache, we witnessed a Zombie storm reanimate in the Atlantic. That’s right, Tropical Storm Paulette came and went out to sea, only to reform to come back towards the US.
At the same time, 2020 has been a catalyst for challenging and needed conversations, such as the division over race. Through the unfortunate deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many others, Americans have had to come face to face with the reality that we have not arrived when it comes to equality.
And even that statement might be divisive. It seems as if America is heading further and further into tribalism, entrenching ourselves to our respective sides on the socio-political divide.
It would be easy to look at what is happening around us through the lens of race, political affiliation, location, or economic status.
However, Jesus implores us to see the world and our neighbor through the eyes of God. No small task, right?
Seeing things through the lens of Jesus is no small task because we quickly realize that we too often see Jesus through so many other lenses, such as experience, race, economic status, education level, political leanings, and so much more.
No matter where we stand on these matters or how we look at them, Jesus calls us to unite as one church. Unity does not mean that we agree on everything, nor does it mean uniformity on theological perspectives and convictions, nor does it mean that we all look, sound, and see the world in the same way.
Even if we find all of the reasons do be disconnected and divided, we are all one church under one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jesus invites us around a common table that makes rooms for our differences, not a reason for discord but celebration. If we can imagine it, the Table of Jesus is one of a multiplicity of human expressions.
Imagine what would happen if the church personified the desires of Jesus at the Table. Imagine how the church could be the leading force behind reconciliation in our divided world.
As we celebrate World Communion this Sunday, it is abundantly clear that we need this Table now more than ever. Will you accept Jesus’ invitation to the Table?