What is the significance of sharing a meal together around a table?

[GodHeals]

Hi,

What is the significance of sharing a meal together around a table?

We have a small Theology of the Body group. I’ve encouraged us to stick to the importance of sharing a meal. From past interactions with a Protestant friend, I’ve learned that gathering together for a meal is good for building community, but forget all of the reasons. I might have read even enemies who sat together are forced to recognize each others humanity as they share a meal. Scripture? Also, the Eucharist is centered around the table.

Can you share on the importance of sharing a meal in scripture (or using Jewish and Catholic Tradition) regarding small groups? Also, any connection for the reason why Jesus Christ shares Himself as the Passover Lamb during a meal as people gather together around the table?

And good website links would also be appreciate to share. Thank you so much!

 

[pianistclare]

I found a bunch of Scripture references:
openbible.info/topics/hospitality

My priest says that the meal is central to behaving as family. That sharing around a table is a the principal way we form bonds. He points to instances where Jesus healed, and then immediately said “give me something to eat.”
He likens it to having a family celebration, that sharing a meal at table even if it’s just small, is a sign of solidarity, closeness, and genuine care for one another.
At our parish, we staff, the Pastor, and the Deacons eat family style every day at the office.
it has brought us incredibly close. We laugh, we debate, we share stories from our families and college years. It’s marvelous.

 

[TimothyH]

A meal is a sign of a covenant. Covenants form family bonds. There were four signs of a covenant…

An oath
A sacrifice
A shared meal
A object erected or exchanged

A shared meal was always part of the acceptance of a covenant by both parties. Along with the other signs, the Apostles would have recognized the last supper as a shared meal. Jesus’ body is the shared meal and the sacrifice at the same time.

Jews ate the passover sacrifice. The priests ate the sacrifices in the temple. Moses and he elders shared a meal in the presence of God after accepting the covenant at Mt. Sinai.

Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abi’hu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. (Exodus 24:9-11)

A wedding is a covenant which forms a family out of man and wife. The Book of Revelation speaks of heaven as a wedding feast.

*Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” (Revelation 19:9)*

Any discussion of meals in the Bible has to focus on the covenants.

The Master Key: Pope Benedict XVI’s Theology of Covenant

Covenant Love: Introducing a Biblical Worldview (Scott Hahn)

-Tim-

 

[Mintaka]

Throughout most of the ancient world, it was totally okay to kill your neighbors and enemies in squabbles and war, but absolutely forbidden to kill anyone you accepted as a guest. (At least, while they were in your house.) Likewise, it was absolutely forbidden to harm your host. (At least while you were in his house.)

Things like giving people bread and salt to eat were symbolic of this sacred two-way obligation.

 

[GodHeals]

I found a bunch of Scripture references:
openbible.info/topics/hospitality

My priest says that the meal is central to behaving as family. That sharing around a table is a the principal way we form bonds. He points to instances where Jesus healed, and then immediately said “give me something to eat.”
He likens it to having a family celebration, that sharing a meal at table even if it’s just small, is a sign of solidarity, closeness, and genuine care for one another.
At our parish, we staff, the Pastor, and the Deacons eat family style every day at the office.
it has brought us incredibly close. We laugh, we debate, we share stories from our families and college years. It’s marvelous.

Thank you for sharing!! That is awesome. You are blessed to have such friendships at work!

 

[GodHeals]

A meal is a sign of a covenant. Covenants form family bonds. There were four signs of a covenant…

An oath
A sacrifice
A shared meal
A object erected or exchanged

A shared meal was always part of the acceptance of a covenant by both parties. Along with the other signs, the Apostles would have recognized the last supper as a shared meal. Jesus’ body is the shared meal and the sacrifice at the same time.

Jews ate the passover sacrifice. The priests ate the sacrifices in the temple. Moses and he elders shared a meal in the presence of God after accepting the covenant at Mt. Sinai.

Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abi’hu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. (Exodus 24:9-11)

A wedding is a covenant which forms a family out of man and wife. The Book of Revelation speaks of heaven as a wedding feast.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” (Revelation 19:9)

Any discussion of meals in the Bible has to focus on the covenants.

The Master Key: Pope Benedict XVI’s Theology of Covenant

Covenant Love: Introducing a Biblical Worldview (Scott Hahn)

-Tim-

Thank you Tim! I appreciate the help!