Although there is only one direct reference in
scripture to the early Christian Agape Meal
or "Love Feast" (Jude: 12), we know from I Corinthians that the Lord's
Supper was celebrated
in the early church in connection with a common meal, using the bread and cup
already on the table to "re-member" or re-constitute the Body of the
Risen One.
Many 21st-century Christians have come to
realize that the "joyful feast of the people of God"
takes on special meaning when celebrated intimately, around the table of
fellowship
following an ordinary meal (which is to say a holy and sacred meal, for are not
all meals
holy and sacred when thanks are given, food is shared and Christ is present?)
With the Agape Meal, the Eucharist returns to
the dining table where it began
and becomes a radical, re-membering and community-building meal
at which the ecclesiastical "authorization"
to preside can become irrelevant
as Christ becomes the Host
and all gathered at Table become the Guests
at the joyful feast of the people of
God!
click here for some
pictures of our supper table!
Beloved in Christ, the Gospel tells us that on the first day
of the week
Jesus Christ was raised from death, appeared to Mary Magdalene,
on that same day sat at the table with two disciples,
and was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
In company with all believers in every time and beyond time,
we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread.
This is a supper full of love, a supper full of love.
This is the love that God has ordained for all.
This alone unites us because it contains the essence of God.
We come by invitation to this holy supper so full of
mystery.
We come to be one with each other
and that is why we are called to this divine supper so full of peace.
Taste the essence that comes from heaven
because the union of heaven and earth is complete grace and wholeness.
Lord Jesus Christ you give us contentment and life. You
give us nourishment.
We open our hearts and deeply taste the offering of life on our plates.
(from "El Milagro de Guadalupe"
SAVAE)
God be with us!
Let us lift up our hearts.
We lift our hearts to God.
Let us give God thanks and praise.
(Prayer of our Savior in many voices)
We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion,
Jesus took bread, gave thanks,
broke the bread and gave it to the disciples, saying:
"This is my body which is broken for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way, Jesus also took the cup after supper, saying:
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
Bless this bread, and bless this fruit of the vine.
Bless all of us in our eating and drinking at this table
that our eyes may be opened,
and we may recognize the risen Christ in our midst,
in each other, in all for whom Jesus died,
and especially in our enemies.
Amen!
This is the bread of life…..
This is the cup of blessing…
