Have you ever seen a meal transform a community, help to create hope, and lead to a deep sense of wellbeing for all who partook? Perhaps you have heard of the Enemy Kitchen mobile food project and restaurant, the brainchild of Chicago-based artist, Michael Rakowitz. Rakowitz is an Iraqi-American artist who says he works at the “intersection of problem solving and trouble making.” On his food truck, he flies an Iraqi flag and serves Iraqi food. The chefs are Iraqi as well. The four servers on the truck, on the other hand, are all U.S. veterans of the Iraq war. Through this Enemy Kitchen project, Rakowitz has been using Iraqi food and culture to break down cultural barriers for many years. Never underestimate the power of sharing table with another.
In the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, sacred meals are unique ways that God is experienced. But they are also simple meals in which people gather to nourish their bodies and find community together. In the Passover meal the disciples shared with Jesus the night before he was crucified, all the best and worst of human relationships were made plain. And at the center of our faith, is a meal in which we believe that Jesus is present.
Once, during a conversation with the disciples, several of them tried to ask Jesus who would be sitting in the seats of power in his reign. It is as though they wanted to be those who would be served first during the great banquets. But Jesus lets them know that in the reign of God, greatness is determined by a willingness to be servant to all. Notions of hierarchy would be shredded, and the table would be wide, and welcoming to all.
We’ll talk about this in Worship on Sunday, as the sermon is titled, “The Table Will Be Wide.” The sermon arises from Psalm 133 and Mark 10: 35-45, which will be read by Eleanor Lahr. There will be prayers and a moment for children. The Chancel Choir will lead us in hymns, and Stephanie and Patrick Conklin will sing a duet, accompanied by llze Akerbergs. And we will celebrate Holy Communion, as we will observe World Communion Sunday.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream. To join online, visit www.smumc.church at 10:30 AM, and click on the Live Stream banner.