Setting the Table

As if we needed anything else in our Christian walk to help our minds wander, Christian service can sometimes be most guilty of this. Especially, I think, when it comes to the Table.

So much work must be done to properly set the Table for the congregation to partake. It takes someone to supply the emblems, someone to portion them out to ensure there is enough for everyone, someone or several persons to distribute them, someone to offer a prayer and perhaps a devotional, someone to clean up afterward if some of the elements come in disposable containers, etc. And each of these persons is prone to be a little distracted when the moment comes to simply eat with Jesus. 

Those who supply the emblems might be wondering if there was enough in the back to get through this Sunday, or how many more Sundays we can get through before we need more. Someone who portioned out and prepared the emblems might be silently praying they portioned enough - that there won't be some major increase in visitors this week - or perhaps that they didn't portion too many - that not many folks will be on vacation, because we don't want to have to throw away very much.

As a person who has passed the trays, I can tell you that it's easy to get distracted while trying to keep your eyes on the congregation. Which row has had it? Who is sitting alone that might have gotten missed? Is this row coming toward me or going away from me? The questions abound. And the same is true for one who prays or teaches over the Table - did my message hit home? Did they understand? Did I say what I think I said? Did I not say what I fear I might have said? Shoot! That one line I rehearsed all night - I forgot that one. 

The person whose job it is to clean up is already making a game plan, already scouting out the sanctuary to figure out the scope of their upcoming task. 

All of a sudden, the Table is done, the remnants are being wiped away, and you can taste the bread and the juice in your mouth but you don't even remember taking them. 

Because you were there, but you were not there. 

This is just an example of how all of us can be prone to what we like to call Martha Syndrome - being so busy in the work of worship that we forget or neglect to actually worship. It's so easy to do. 

This is why it's important to take some time during the week, even during Sunday morning, to prepare your heart and mind before you come to the Table. To take care of the worries and obsessions you have about whatever work you may be bringing to the worship so that when you come, you come not as a minister, not as a volunteer, not as a Martha, but as a Mary - you come as someone prepared to sit with Jesus and eat and soak it all in. 

It's why, I think, even Peter asked Jesus well before the meal, "Where should we go to prepare?" Because he didn't want to miss, and didn't want anyone else to miss, this moment. He didn't want anyone to be setting the Table when he knew everyone was supposed to be feasting at it.

So for those of us who prepare this Table, this reminder has been for you. For those of us who prepare this Table sometimes every time it is set, for the tireless volunteers who make sure there is room for everyone here, I ask - did you remember to make room for you? 

Don't let this Table pass you by with just an aftertaste to hold onto. Don't be here without being here. 

Come.