It was wonderful to be invited for a dinner at my friend’s place. The food was always good and the company at least as good. What splendid evenings we spent together! I mentioned to my friend how much I liked her beautiful wooden dinner table. Because it was round, the dinner guests were able to chat with each other effectively. She told me that having a round dinner table has been a tradition in her family for several generations. At a round table everyone is equal, she explained, nobody’s seat is more special than the other’s.
In old Scandinavian churches the altar rail is a half circle. When we kneel to receive the bread and the wine shoulder to shoulder, we are united in God’s love toward us. We are equal. We are alike. We are together.
I heard someone say that the other half of the altar is there too, even though we cannot see it yet. Our loved ones, the saints of all times and all places, are around it shoulder to shoulder, waiting to receive the same meal. That thought brings me enormous comfort!
Jesus, our rabbi and Messiah, help us to treasure all members of God's family. Help us build up the unity that comes from love and respect of all our sisters and brothers. Amen. — ES