Jesus, Loving Host of the Table

Devotional Reflection, Friday, July 15, 2022

Proper 10, the week of the fifth Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:

19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. 20When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ 22And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ . . . .25Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 795)

AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35

Joshua 4:19-5:1,10-15; Rom. 12:9-21; Matt. 26:17-25

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 26:17-25

17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ 18He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’ 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. 20When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ 22And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ 23He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ 25Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’

David’s Reflections

Today’s Gospel relates the Last Supper scene. Jesus ate what may have been a Passover meal with twelve followers. He obviously had other disciples, and some of them may have been present, but these twelve were his closest associates. (Luke 8:1-3 names women who followed Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:6 says more than 500 witnessed one resurrection appearance.) That number, twelve, has significance as the number of the twelve tribes of Israel. Whatever speculations and indefiniteness might exist about particular historical details in the Gospel record, this rather firm piece of data at the least tells us Jesus was conscious of forming a new covenant community.

The verses that follow today's reading relate the words of institution and the Institution Narrative that we recite each Sunday in Holy Communion. Those statements about his body and blood also make it rather clear that he anticipated his death and attributed saving significance to his sufferings.

Note also the poignant confrontation with Judas. Even John's Gospel, which contains no record of the Institution Narrative and Last Supper, mentions a meal on this night and records a confrontation with Judas. Do you not find it striking that Judas was at the table, although Jesus was aware of his intent to betray? Jesus did say, “Drink this all of you,” and the all included Judas.

Rather than despising Judas, we can ask ourselves in what ways we resemble him at the celebration of Holy Communion. How many Sundays are we included in the meal and welcomed gently by the presence of Christ, although our motives and intentions are quite mixed and we are rather misdirected in our discipleship. What an incredible image of grace, Jesus welcoming Judas at table, gently dialoging with him, and extending the same hospitality to him as to all the rest.

And, what an image of the constitution of the church at Holy Communion. Jesus hosts the table and speaks the words of institution through the voice of the presider, “This is my body. This is my blood.” Followers of various theological perspectives and with varying degrees of loyalty receive Christ’s presence in bread and wine and thus are bonded to the Christ and to one another and called into Christ’s Eucharistic mission, being bread and wine, Christ’s body and blood, for the world. None of the disciples had a proper theological understanding or an enlightened commitment at that table.

Thank God our experiencing the ongoing power of Jesus’ saving death and resurrection in bread and wine does not depend on our theological understanding of Eucharist or on our good behaviors the week prior.

Collect of the Day, Proper 10, the week of the fifth Sunday after Pentecost

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 231)

A Collect for Fridays

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen. (BCP, 123)

A Collect for Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 832)

In the Evening

O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen. (BCP, 833)

A Collect for Mission

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 816-817)