Grace at the Table: The Theology of Eating Together
It’s so easy to look down. On elevators, on commuter trains, in grocery stores, and even at the dinner table - our digital devices captivate us with their connection to the world. Yet as we connect to the world in the tantalizing glow of iPhones and Androids, we disconnect from those closest to us, leaving us feeling fractured, lonely, and isolated. To avoid this feeling of isolation, we dive deeper into our apps, press our noses closer to the screen, and tell ourselves that we are missing nothing - or are we?
The #EatTogether ad created by a group of Canadian filmmakers illustrates a world in which we are inextricably bound to the small screen and temporarily blinded to the big world around us. Those who choose to momentarily abstain from digital devices become self-conscious of their isolation. Those who obsess over their devices are just as isolated - though they may be blind to its depths.
While there may not be a cure for these symptoms, there may at least be a remedy.
Can we eat together?
Even if just for a few moments. Can we join in conversation with those around the table, even if it means inviting the stranger to sit beside us for a moment? This is not particularly difficult work, though it requires tremendous intentionality. One does not need to be a gourmet chef to eat together. One need not be skilled in the art of conversation. One simply needs to make the decision to sit down, power down, engage.
We experience God through our experiences of community. We can certainly experience community in digital spaces, especially on social media. It would be dishonest to say that God cannot break through to a digitally connected world. But to an extent, digital communications are somewhat shallow. They are great for sharing a quick update with the world, maybe even sharing a laugh. But they and their 280 character limits are ill-suited for actual conversation. The authenticity of an actual conversation depends, to an extent, on the physical proximity of the other.
God reaches us in these moments of in-person conversation. It’s no coincidence that our understanding of the Lord’s Supper comes to us from a Biblical conversation - one that involved the in-person dialogue of Jesus and his disciples. Like many conversations, it at times turned messy and contentious.
In the 22nd chapter of Luke, Jesus makes his famous promise to draw near to us through the bread and the wine, shared together around the common table. Even at the climax of this beautiful promise, Jesus is interrupted by a dispute about greatness, just as he warns about the one who will betray him. Conversations are not easy. In some ways, the alluring glow of our iPhones is objectively more appealing. They often end in bickering, name calling, and petty disputes.
Yet it is through a conversation that takes place at the dinner table that Jesus reveals to us that he is Lord. It is through a mealtime discussion that we come to experience God’s faithfulness. There is not an app for that.
So, join the the Canadian filmmakers in their campaign to eat together. Not every mealtime conversation will seem Godly. But slowly and surely, our talks at the dinner table are what makes us holy.
So, join the the Canadian filmmakers in their campaign to eat together. Not every mealtime conversation will seem Godly. But slowly and surely, our talks at the dinner table are what makes us holy.
@Ryanpanzer is a blogger and aspiring podcaster who has problems with spilling all varieties of beverage on his Pixel 2.
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