Dinner with Friends

Few things give me more pleasure and comfort than dinner with friends. Ideally, the dinner is in someone's home, and rather informal. I like to have lots of people, but not so many that the place becomes crowded. Good food, good conversation, and some good wine. It's great if everyone feels comfortable, and no one has to rush away to this meeting or that event. It's good for people to gather together and share a meal. It's simple but significant, and communal yet intimate.

Below is an account of friends sharing a meal. The meal took place long before any of us were born, and long before the language I'm writing this post in was ever spoken, but I can see this meal in my mind's eye. I see it clearly, and even though I wasn't there, I "remember" it.

"And when the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, 'With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, 'Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.'"

Luke 22:14-20