Picture it, a dining room table. It’s a familiar piece of furniture, often seen in the same place in the dining room. There are the same 8 chairs around the table, with two spare chairs somewhere in the house. As people gather, there is a need for more room. Imagine searching for the leaf throughout the home. Is it underneath the bed, hidden deep within a closet covered by coats, or will it be found in the closet where the AC unit is kept? Eureka!! The leaf is found. Reaching underneath the table to find the latch to open the table, but it’s stuck. Well, it worked the last time we used the leaf. Some may think, finally, that the table extends so the leaf can slide into place. The table is expanded to a larger table, accommodating more.
For me, the image of the table is a powerful vision for a deeper understanding of the mission of the church. One the of things I love about the United Methodist Church is the reminder that the Church does not exist for itself, never has, never will. The purpose of the Church is to make disciples for the transformation of the world. The Church is always being sent outward, always extending the table to include more.
I would invite us to ponder the importance of tables in scripture. Jesus teaches at tables. He forgives at tables. He eats with people who considered the outcasts, judged, different and even sinners (oh my)! Jesus even turns over the tables when the “insiders” refused to place the leaf in the table. Finally, the table is the center of faith, where bread is broken and grace is shared.
I love the image of there always being room for one more, and of God calling us to keep extending the table. Extending the table to those we agree with and even those we don’t agree with. At times, adding a leaf and more chairs pushes us beyond our comfort zones and can be challenging.
To add a leaf takes effort. You must find the leaf, dust it off, find the switch under the table, and give it a gentle pull because sometimes the table is stuck together because of whatever has been spilt last, sweet tea, gravy or milk. Adding a leaf means people sit farther apart, and in different seats. Conversations shift and you must pass the mashed potatoes, and egg custard pie farther than before.
As I read Para. 128 of the UM Discipline, I can’t help but think it offers a definition of what extending the table means: reaching out, nurturing the community, and participating in God’s healing work in the world. Sounds like discipleship to me.
Extending the table is about putting relationships first rather than being right. Extending the table is realizing that, as disciples, we are called to be living examples of it. We extend the table through conversations. Sometimes these conversations are easy, and other times they are challenging, uncomfortable, and provide opportunities to see things from a different perspective. Extending the table might look like active listening rather than simply listening and responding. Extending the table might look like welcoming before agreeing, and finally, loving before understanding. Above all, extending the table is trusting God’s grace is wide enough for all of it.
May God grant us courage and to extend the tables, reflecting God radical hospitality, making room for different stories, questions, culture and experiences.
Always remember, never forget….GOD LOVES YOU!
Peace- Tom
Long Talk…. 