Passover and Holy Week’s commemoration of the Last Supper make me think about how we prepare meals today, and how different it was in Jesus’ time.

For one thing, the obvious: There were no drive-thrus or microwaves in Jesus’ day, and the need for a room, even an upper one, has been supplanted by “grab and go,” and the occasional “my car is my dining room table.” And as for sharing a meal, well, in many families, this boils down (please pardon the pun) to labeling individual portions and placing them in the refrigerator, or hastily-made plans that are then carried out with one or more parties raptly focused on cell phone or tablet.

Yes, much of our ritual at mealtime is fading, or gone completely. But it need not be so.

Even in Jesus’ day, there were times when meals were merely times to replenish energy stores. But there were also times, such as those at Passover, when gathering, sharing, and honoring the time at a meal were extremely important, indeed crucial, to the fabric of the community at large and family, however extended.

This week is a wonderful time to remember the underlying importance of sharing a meal with people close to us and tying that activity together with giving thanks for the One who provides the food and time, and for each other and the support, encouragement and love that also nourishes us, no matter how frantic the rest of our days and meals might be.

Blessings for the day,

Maureen