If you had the opportunity to have dinner with any famous person living or deceased, who would you choose?
A Harris poll conducted a few years ago asked over 1000 adults this question. Top answers were: Bill or Hillary Clinton, Pope John Paul II, Oprah Winfrey, Billy Graham, Michael Jordan, George W. Bush, Bill Gates, Ronald Reagan, Mel Gibson, Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II, Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Sean Connery. Most people would choose a U.S. political figure. Others would choose a movie star or musician. Religious figures are figure prominently on this list.
Whom would I choose? Well, I compiled my own list of those living and deceased:
Political figures from history: Andrew Jackson, Elizabeth I of England, Cleopatra.
Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Sharon Stone(!)
Inventor: Leonardo Da Vinci
Humor: Steve Martin
Spiritual: St. Paul.
Of course, one person who is on most people’s list is Jesus. It seems that many would like to sit down and dine with Jesus. Not only that, but most people believe he would be the most engaging person to have a conversation with over a meal.
But, let’s look at the instances when Jesus did sit down with people at the table. What was he like?
Well, there’s the time that he went to have dinner with Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He admonished Martha for being too nervous and busy.
Then there’s the time he went to the home of a leading Pharisee. When the Pharisee saw the woman come in and cry on Jesus feet and wipe his feet with her hair, he was critical. Jesus responded by saying to him: Well, Simon, you did not greet me with a kiss nor did you wash my feet! Not a very nice thing to say to someone who is having you over to dinner.
Jesus also said that when you throw a dinner party, you shouldn’t invite those who might repay you but that you should invite the poor and downcast who can’t repay you. That might prevent us from wanting to sit down with him at the table!
We know that when Jesus sat down to eat with his disciples on the day before he died, he announced to them that someone at the table would betray him. Nice way to ruin everyone’s appetite!
Jesus was also accused of not washing his hands before eating or performing the customary rituals of purification. Seems that, to many, he didn’t exercise proper hygiene according to the Jewish law.
So, I’m not so certain about having dinner with Jesus! He might be rather intimidating!
What would dinner conversation with like with Jesus? Would we end up doing most of the talking or would he? Would we ask him all kinds of questions seeking answers? Would he preach to us or reprimand us or challenge us in some way? Perhaps it would be a quiet meal.
Personally, I think that Jesus would be a good listener at the table. I think he would smile a lot and nod his head in affirmation. I don’t think he would give answers to every question we might want to ask. Perhaps he would answer our questions with more questions like “What do you think?” or “What does your heart tell you?” For some that would be very frustrating. I suspect that we might do most of the talking and he would listen.
One of the things I think about this evening is that we are invited to sit at the table with Jesus each time we gather here to celebrate the Eucharist. More than just an empty ritual that is repeated every week, we really come to the table to dine with Jesus. And, at that table, each of us are carrying on various conversations with him. Think about all the things that people are telling Jesus as they come forward to receive him as food.
Some are telling Jesus, “You know, I’m not really worthy to be here. I’m a sinner. I mess up a lot.” Perhaps Jesus would say to that person, “I know about your struggles and sins. Even so, come and eat. I love you.”
Others might say to Jesus: “I’m sad over the death of my spouse” or “I’m having trouble with my children” or “my marriage is on the rocks.” Perhaps Jesus would answer by saying, “I understand. We will work on those things together. In the meantime, come and eat. I love you.”
At times, our conversation at table with Jesus would amount to complaining about the world and the violence and war and hatred and prejudice. What would Jesus say? Perhaps something like, “Yes, the world is not always a good place but I’ve chosen you to be a sign of goodness in the world. So, eat and be strong. You will need the strength. And remember, I love you.”
I talk to people who come forward for communion and are not very focused. They may be telling Jesus, “I’m not feeling well. I’m depressed. I’m getting old and worn out. I have a terminal illness.” To them, Jesus might be saying, “I am food for your body and soul. Come and eat. I love you.”
And, perhaps, there are some who say to Jesus at the table, “You know, I’m not certain I really believe in all of this. I struggle with my church’s teachings.” To which Jesus might reply, “I understand. I don’t expect you to understand everything right now. But come and eat, anyway. I love you.”
You see, we don’t have to wish that we could sit down to a meal with Jesus and have a great conversation. We already do that. It is Jesus who invites us to take a seat here and to dine with him in this place. He gives us good food and good drink for our mind, body and soul. And all the while, he invites us to eat with him knowing that the conversation may vary from time to time. Through it all, he listens to us, understands us and accepts us as we are. Even when we are not in the best place the invitation still stands to join him at the table. He wants us to eat and drink and to be strengthened by this food. He wants us to speak with him as we do so and to know that he is listening to us. And, most of all, he wants us to know that he loves us.