Monday 16 September 2024
Ss Cornelius & Cyprian
1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33. Proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again – Psalm 39(40):7-10, 17. Luke 7:1-10.
It is not the Lord’s Supper you are eating
Dinner table etiquette holds that everyone should be served before anyone begins to eat. This is a signal of respect to your fellow diners. By waiting you are saying that you’re not more important than others at the table. It is understandable then why St Paul is so dismayed when he writes to the Corinth community. The Corinthians’ intentions had obviously been good. They held meetings in Jesus’ name but, in the way of committees and groups worldwide, decided the business part of the meeting would go down better if there was supper. But instead of bringing the community closer this decision was driving factionalism, with the people divided by wealth, time or both. As St Paul makes clear, these divisions are the opposite of the fellowship preached by Jesus. ‘When you hold these meetings, it is not the Lord’s Supper you are eating’, Paul says. His answer is simple and direct: ‘When you meet for the Meal, wait for one another.’
Email this Print This Page
