Page 2 - Contact Autumn 2018

Eat. Pray. Love.

Many of you may be aware of a I have been struck recently by the
book and fi lm from a few years theme of hospitality in the Bible
ago with the title Eat, pray, love. and indeed of how so much of
It tells the story of a woman called Jesus’ signifi cant encounters and
Elizabeth Gilbert who sought to conversations were around a
“fi nd herself” by travelling the table. In the 21st century, where
world after life seemed to be people are increasingly cynical
unravelling for her including about the Christian faith, maybe
experiencing a painful divorce. we need to eat more together
for this is a great way of
While the book is far from breaking down barriers.
Christian in its content it struck As we eat it leads to relationship
me that those three words of the building, to good and deepening
title are not a bad summary of the conversation – maybe even,
Gospel of Luke which we will be as with Jesus, this might lead
looking at through the Autumn. to prayer and to a better
Someone has said that in the understanding of what it means
Gospel of Luke, Jesus is either at to love others. It is no accident
a meal, going to a meal or coming I believe that the ongoing sign that
from a meal. While that is too neat Jesus gave to the church to remind
a summary it does indicate a key us of his sacrifi cial love for us is
theme of the gospel – eating with based around a table – the Table
Jesus. of the Lord’s Supper.