Spaghetti Table

We had a spaghetti dinner at church on Saturday night. 

It was a partly candle-lit sitdown meal,

Complete with salad, spaghetti, dessert, and sparkling grape juice.

Additionally, we had live entertainment,

Flute and castanet, 

Piano,

Singing wait staff,

And soloists. 

We used real plates, silverware, and glasses.

We provided an Olive Garden style salad.

We offered vegetarian spaghetti or spaghetti with meatballs.

We offered bread with garlic and bread without.

And, knowing my church, I’m surprised we didn’t have a gluten-free pasta option.

We fed members of the church,

We fed community members,

And we provided takeout plates for people who wanted to deliver food to shut ins. 

One man came 30 minutes early, while the kitchen staff was deep in preparation,

And waited patiently for two to go plates.

I figured that he was getting a plane for himself and his wife.

Instead, he was getting a plate for his supper and Sunday’s lunch.

His loneliness made me sad. 

 

When we gather around the table,

Whether it be the spaghetti table or the communion table,

We are gathering together the body of Christ and living out the Kingdom of God on earth.

For a moment,

We set aside our differences,

Our partisan political views,

Our theological nuances,

Our socioeconomic status,

Our education achievements, 

All of our unique preferences, 

And simply fellowship together at the table 

Set with 

Time 

Intention

The fruits of the earth 

The gifts of the Spirit 

And 

Love. 

 

As nations are at war, 

And persons are in endless battles,

May we do more communing around the table, 

The spaghetti table of grace.