Come to the Table

4-8-2025

“Christ has planted his Table like an oasis along our pathway, in order that when we become weary with travel, weak and hungry in our souls, discouraged and wounded because of our false steps, stumbling, and falling, we may then enter there and be refreshed with the living Bread of Life.” Carl Olof Rosenius (1816-1868)

There are many reasons for why someone will take on “fasting” as a practice in their lives. Sometimes it is due to allergies, health benefits, dietary restrictions, diets, or devotional practices. Whatever the reason that compels us to take on this fasting it is always difficult when we first begin. To change up our routine often takes a lot of energy out of us and through this upset in our daily routine it can affect other areas of our lives negatively or positively. I have tried one fast in my life without even meaning to and I hope I never do it again.

When I was in college I decided that I was getting “enough Jesus” in my classes and I had stopped going to church. Yes you read that correctly, Pastor Tucker didn’t attend church for three years in his undergraduate. I was at an ELCA affiliated school that had a chapel on campus and services that I could join. There was a Lutheran church across the street from the school and one of my professors was married to an ELCA pastor. I definitely had options to attend church and yet, I didn’t. I used all the excuses of being too tired, having studies to do, wanting to spend time outside in the North Carolina warmth with my friends “networking”. The only time that I had communion was whenever I came home and went with my family to our home congregation in Massachusetts.

I resonate with the excerpt above. Those times I worshiped, confessed, prayed, listened, and came to the table were like an oasis for me. I was in a self imposed desert only taking refuge a few times a year and I could feel it. Everytime I came home I was excited to return to church and partake in the meal. I remember the amazing feeling of being washed clean and made anew by God’s grace. It was because of those three years of Spiritual isolation that I developed a true hunger for Christ and his teachings. Instead of coming to the table I went to the bible while at school I studied scripture and theologians as the dry mana flakes from heaven.

I am overjoyed to be in a denomination that has communion every week because it is now hard for me just to wait till Sunday! Yet, when we come to the meal on Sunday I am sure people notice the smile on my face when I distribute communion because I feel blessed to be standing in that oasis moment. I have the true honor to be a small part of God’s refreshment for the community of believers.

Let us pray,
Bread of Life, you strengthen us when we are weak, you fill us when we are empty, and you are present with us in all things. Guide our steps each week to stay on your path that leads us not only to your cross of salvation, but also to the oasis table that refreshes us anew for the journey ahead. Be our bread for the journey that sustains us with your love so that all those we encounter in our lives may see your love and glory through us. Amen.