The Renewal of Hope Begins Around the Table
Advent, 2022
At the heart of Holy Communion is the memory of a meal. Each week, we recall and reenact the story of how Jesus gathered with his closest friends for one last supper before his suffering and death. Jesus blessed the bread and the wine, saying that this is his body and blood, given and shed for us. Jesus promised to be with us each time we come to the table and remember him.
The pandemic created a great hunger in us, a deep desire for what we may have previously taken for granted. It has been such a joy to return to the table, reuniting with people we have known forever and happily making room for those we have never met. It has been a great gift to hold out our hands - to feel again the slight weight of the wafer that carries Jesus into our bodies and our hearts. It has been a joy to again taste the wine that reminds us of how much God loves us. During the long months of separation, how we missed Holy Communion, what one of our youngest and wisest parishioners calls "Special Treat."
I'm convinced that the renewal of St. Thomas', our renewal of hope, truly began when we reassembled at the holy table, retold the old story, and received the Body and Blood of Christ once again.
And this renewal of hope is happening at a couple of other holy tables, too.
Just as we missed Holy Communion, many of us also longed to spend time together in the Parish Hall after our Sunday services. If you have been around lately, you know that the easing of the pandemic has drawn an increasing number of parishioners to stick around for a cup of coffee, some delicious treats, and good conversation. Since I'm usually one of the last to arrive, I love walking into the hall and hearing the hum of people talking and laughing, sharing stories, catching up, and making new friends. Like everything else, this doesn’t just happen, so, many thanks to Jesse VanGeison for organizing our hosts, and to everyone who has provided us with such excellent hospitality.
On a recent evening, a few of us shared a marvelous dinner at Gilead House in Pikesville, with some of the refugees who have found safe harbor there, including Hizbullah, the Afghan man who, as you know, has been co-sponsored by St. Thomas'. Despite cultural and language differences, the conversation and the laughter flowed, and our bonds of friendship and respect grew even stronger.
At the end of the meal, Hizbullah prepared tea for us, using saffron that he had carried with him on his long journey from Afghanistan. As I observed him pour the steaming and wonderfully fragrant tea into cups and then pass them around to all of us, I had to blink tears out of my eyes. It was like a New Testament story had suddenly come to life in front of us. I could almost hear Jesus saying, "The Kingdom of God is like a man forced to flee his homeland, losing nearly everything but managing to keep a small amount of expensive saffron. But rather than holding onto this precious taste of home, he is delighted to share it with his new friends."
There was a sequel to this parable a few days later when many parishioners filled the Parish Hall to hear a mesmerizing presentation by Hizbullah. After this impressive young man shared his gripping his story with us, we were served a delicious Afghan-style feast, prepared by a hardworking and talented team, led by Frances Rockwell. I went home that afternoon feeling full, both in body and spirit.
The holy season of Advent marks the start of a new church year. My prayer for this fresh start is that, with God's help, even more of us will gather together, in church, in the hall, and out in the community, receiving and sharing God's love.
The renewal of hope begins around the table.
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