Every culture has its own table manners. In my Korean culture, I was taught that younger ones are not supposed to eat until the oldest member of their family picks up his chopsticks. At times, I unconsciously keep this particular table manner. So if you see me simply standing in front of food and looking around or looking for someone else (older?) to start at our coffee hour, I might be unconsciously keeping my Korean table manners.
Speaking of table manners, they’re not just about showing respect for one another at a meal table. They also represent a social order that is pretty much hierarchical, and historically patriarchal. Important ones sit in a place of honor. The less important ones sit all the way at the end. It displays a microscopic version of our social order. In a way it is political. So, Jesus’ teaching on where to sit as a guest and who to invite as a host can be seen as politically revolutionary and radical. Basically turning the old order upside down. But not in the way we think it is. It is not a political revolution. It is not violent. It is not self-serving. There is no political propaganda. This new order, Jesus’ new set of table manners is for the entire world, but not of the world. His extraordinary table manners are for all humanity. So what are his table manners? First of all, there are two teachings: where to sit as a guest, and who to invite as a host. As a guest, don't sit in a place of honor. And as a host, invite those who cannot pay back. We might rather hastily make his teachings too simple: not sitting in a place of honor as humility, and inviting those who cannot repay as charity. We may conclude humility and charity are Jesus’ codes for his new table manners. This makes sense, but we must be aware of this temptation of turning the gospel, Jesus’ teaching into a moral code. The gospel goes beyond any moral teachings. The gospel is supposed to liberate us, and bring us out of ourselves, not restraining and limiting our lives. The gospel-driven table manners begin with this verse 11. The translation we read together for that verse isn't too accurate. Its literal translation from Greek is “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” We might consider this as a turn of phrase. But I believe Jesus is talking about himself, the Son of God, the incarnate Word of God. All exalts themselves, but he is the only one who humbles himself. And he is exalted on the cross. Jesus’ humility is God’s humility. God humbles God’s very own self to be part of the created world, to be human, to live and die as one of us. In Jesus of Nazareth, God comes to the world as a guest. God comes to us as one of us, as a human being. What could be more humbling than God giving up to be God? Not only does God show the divine humility by becoming human in Jesus, by becoming a guest of the world God himself created. God in Jesus also sets up the table as a host. This is the table for those who have no capacity to repay. This table of God prioritizes the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, not rich neighbors who believe they can invite God in return and repay God! When Jesus talks about who to invite as a host, he is really talking about who would enjoy this meal at God’s table. No one who thinks can pay back God’s grace in return can enjoy this table gathering, but only the ones who know so well that they can never repay what they’ve received from God. They know they cannot pay back God’s love and grace! All they can do is to receive it with a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving! Then, two teachings of Jesus about his table manners are far from us being humble and practicing charity. We now know that no humility can be greater than God lowering himself to become part of his own creation, giving up to be God to live and be killed as one of us. We know that no love or charity can be greater than God inviting all, especially those who think they can never repay God’s grace. This God in Jesus first comes to us as a guest, and then this God in Jesus throws a party as a host! This party we traditionally call the kingdom of God! All are invited to this party, but only those who cannot repay can enjoy this party with praise and thanksgiving. Every Sunday God our heavenly host sets up the Table, the Eucharist. And at this very same banquet, God the host gives God’s very own body and blood. We are invited to this Eucharistic banquet as guests. Remember we can enjoy this heavenly party only when we believe that we really have no way to pay back what we receive from God. We are invited, not because we are wealthy, not because we are morally good, not because we have certain social status. We are invited only because of God’s mercy. There is no way to pay back that divine love. We simply can’t! The only thing we can do is giving thanks and praise to God. And this love is given to all. Only those who know their own inability to pay back can see and taste that love. The more we empty ourselves, the more God fills us with love and mercy. This is how we as God’s guests at the table humble ourselves, knowing that we have no ability to pay back, but only to fully receive God’s grace with gratitude. After this Eucharistic banquet, we go out to the world as God’s designated host. What meals are we as God’s designated, baptized host to offer? We simply give our body and blood which are transformed to the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We gives ourselves to the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Just like Jesus was both the guest and the host, we are both the guest and the host. So what are Jesus’ new table manners? What’s his new order? It is to constantly throw yourselves at the mercy of God, and never ever dare to think you can pay back by being morally perfect or materialistically abundant. And enjoy the party where Jesus is the guest and the host! Enjoy that God loves you, and forgives you even in advance! Be the humble guest at the Eucharistic banquet, and be the loving host whose body and blood are for the life of the world! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
Paul"...life up your love to that cloud [of unknowing]...let God draw your love up to that cloud...through the help of his grace, to forget every other thing." Archives
January 2025
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