By Sharon Wilson
Chinatown’s Last Supper by Matthew Hurst, 2011, via Flickr. All rights reserved.
On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
—Isaiah 25:6
One of the images we have of Heaven is that of a great feast. At times when I have entertained friends or family, I have experienced these moments that seem like Heaven. When I take a step back—away from the entertaining, the dirty dishes, the slightly under- or overcooked food—and look around at guests laughing, connecting and enjoying each other’s company, there lays the great feast the psalm writer in Isaiah is speaking about.
If I focus on the dirty dishes or my own shortcomings, I can’t appreciate my guests. There is something about living in the moment and loving one another that expresses the connection of a feast with Heaven.
As we gear up for holiday parties, I share one tip given to me by a friend who has the charism of hospitality.
Sometime before the guests arrive, slow down and think of each of your guests and pray for them individually. I sometimes say a prayer over the food I am cooking for those who will receive it. Then, I pray for the dinner party.
Pray for love and joy and acceptance for everyone. Pray for laughter and shared times. Pray for lasting memories to be made. Prayer like this takes my focus away from me and any need I have to impress anyone and focuses my thoughts outward.
A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
I can’t wait to see what the feast in Heaven will be like. I can only imagine it will be filled with everlasting love … and no calories!
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