A Table for Four

Imagine having a meal with your favorite people in the world, a small group, where each of you treasure each other beyond words. As humans we eat a lot. Survival requires it. I know we in America many times eat too much. It is easy to do when food is readily available, and in so many tempting tastes. However, even when we control how much or how often we eat, it is still something we do every day, generally more than once a day.

Sit down with your friends. Have a simple meal; something common to eat, something common to drink. As you do this everyday activity, do it thoughtfully, aware of your need to eat and your longing to eat and enjoy. Do your best to make this meal a time and a place of serenity. The troubles of the world, of your world, will seek to disrupt. Pondering the others eating with you has the power to put these disruptions at bay. They are friends.

Some have suggested we should follow Jesus' model when he walked on the earth and spent a significant time with three others; Peter, James and John. Some call this a triad. But it was really a quad, three disciples plus one teacher. I want to suggest switching the numbers, three teachers and one disciple.

Sit yourself at a square table, one person on each side. Break the bread, or whatever common food you have, into four pieces. The size of each is not so significant, just let the breaks fall where they may. Have a drink available, something you enjoy and find quenching.

Eat the first piece to remind yourself that you are there. You want the real you to be present, not some partial representation or false self. This might seem like a simple thing, and in a way it is. Yet, we sometimes hide even from ourselves, those times when we get a glimpse of how unfriendly we can be. On the other hand, we realize we were made to be friends, friends with others and friends with these three friends.

Eat the second piece as you look across the table at your friend who has provided for the meal. He has had his eye on you for a long time, longing to see you be all you can be. He has sent out the invitation for this meal. Of those at the table, he alone has always remained in his spot. When you look for an anchor for your life, he is the one you turn to. Simply stated, he loves you.

Eat the third piece as you look to your right. You realize that this friendship has often gone unnoticed at worst, or quite mysterious at best. As you think about him, you find yourself wondering. You realize that his role in your life has sometimes only been noticed after the fact, after he has seemingly left the scene. Still you are so very grateful for all he has done, not only for you but for all the world. Without him life just wouldn't be.

Eat the fourth piece as you look to your left. In a genuine way you want to interrupt the eating, get up with him, and give him a hug. Of the other three at the table he is the one you can identify with the most. He looks like you. O, maybe he doesn't look like a relative in the normal sense of the word, but you know he has eaten before. You are not so sure about the other two. You look in amazement, and you want to be like him. Compassion and forgiveness flow from his face. This is the face of acceptance. This is the face of love.

The food is separated into parts. Not so with the drink. It flows all as one. The food is broken. The drink is emptied out. The vessel then has a hollow place, waiting to be refilled, refilled with new drink. Today, “Energy drinks” abound, because we don't want to just be, like a lump on a log or a sloth hanging in a tree. We desire to move, to act. For that we need power. There is a market for a fix to revive us and keep us going, or keep us sharp and alert. There is a also an offer of power to live abundantly. As you finish off your meal with your three friends remember that the vessel of life has been emptied, and refilled, by your friend on the left, was overseen and guided by your friend across from you, and explained by your friend on the right.

NOTE: THE SEATING ORDER CAN BE ALTERED AND THE SEQUENCE VARIED. JUST REMEMBER TO INVITE THE SAME THREE FRIENDS FOR A MEAL EVERY DAY.