“For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Matthew 11:18-19)
In the heat of a moment, we might ascribe names that aren’t intended to encourage or inspire. When faced with hard questions or difficult decisions, it might seem easier to polarize rather than unify.
When I preside at communion, I am reminded that it’s not my meal that I put on the altar, on the table. I am reminded of that so-called glutton who loved us so much that he died for our sins and for the sin of the world. As I preside at and distribute communion, I am reminded of that so-called drunkard whose resurrection is witness that life abundant will always prevail.
Glutton and drunkard indeed. Come, Lord Jesus.
This message is adapted from “Faith Reflections: The parable of the picnic” written by Kelly K. Faulstich that first appeared in the June 2011 issue of Cafe magazine.
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