11 September 2006

For awhile, this devotion will focus on a simple prayer before meals.

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.

Come...

This is a common prayer for many of us. It is not the prayer of my youth. The prayer I remember from the table in our home is the prayer used by most Roman Catholic families: "Bless us, O Lord, for these thy gifts..." My journey within the Lutheran movement of the church catholic brought a new prayer - a simple prayer. In many ways, it can roll off my lips without any thought. It is easily treated like a religious "Ready, Set, Go!"...pass the chicken...who wants beans...I need a fork...the plate his hot be careful!

The other night I was in bed not able to fall asleep within the regular bounds of my nightly routine - ,pillow under my knees, head on pillow, cover up....gone. On that night before I fell into my usual deep sleep I thought of this simple table prayer.

"Come" is the first word in the prayer, but it is not the first action or thought or gesture. Before the word is spoken, the meal has taken shape. It is a gift. There is no need to invite the Lord to the table...there is already the presence of the One who abides with us in all things - that is the promise. The Lord has been present in all that comes before the meal and all that makes the meal possible. Could it be that we say "Come" in order to put the whole meal in perspective. This meal is not simply an event in time or a necessary part of our daily routine or a time merely to satisfy our hunger. At the table we say "Come" and we acknowledge whose we are and how something as simple as a bagel or a small bowl of soup is a part of the long history of God's people. This is a people who stopped to eat not merely of the meal set before them...but the fellowship of all who are claimed as God's own. Therefore, even as I eat alone, I say "Come" to remember the fellowship that is unseen but present - the community - the Christ - the Spirit - the Creator.

God provides and nourishes. We are at the table to eat and yet for those who live within the strange world of promise, we are at the table as a people blessed by the gracious presence of our Lord, whose love feeds us before we utter any word of invitation or praise or prayer.

When we say "Come" we set our eyes on the expansive graciousness of our God. This is food before any other food will satisfy us. When we say "Come," it is really as much of an invitation to all who are gathered at the meal as it is an invitation to the Lord of Life - who is already present before the invitation - before our pause to remember - before we smell or see the meal that is to be for us another gift.
Come...

Connection: The mealtime prayer is already being uttered - even now. It is a part of every moment the Spirit reminds us of what it is to be a blessed people - prior to having any evidence of blessing.

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.