This was written following the insurrection and coup attempt Jan 6, 2021. I think it can work for any epiphany.
And now we’ve come to the time of a holy meal.
Sages from the East followed a light to find hope and redemption. Joseph packed a go-bag and hustled his young family out of Bethlehem into hiding as refugees.
But before all that, way back in the stories exodus, when Israel was in slavery to Egypt, when passover became a thing, the people were frightened and longing for escape.
They had their go bags, their entire lives, packed and ready for a quick departure — wherever it might come.
They made bread for their journey, but knew they couldn’t wait for it to rise, so they left out the yeast and satisfied themselves with flat and hard bread — bread of oppression, bread of urgency.
When Jesus gathered with his friends, the story of the exodus was on their minds. Some say it was passover they were celebrating. Jesus told them the night was about to be ugly, reminded them to look for the light.
They shared a dinner that only he knew was their final meal, and to help it stick with them, to help them remember and stay on the path, he gave them a ritual:
He took a piece of bread,
broke it and blessed it, and gave it to them to share:
this bread is me, with you.
eat and know that i am with you.
He poured a cup of wine,
blessed it and gave it to them to share:
this wine is me, with you.
drink and know that I am with you.
And here we are, wondering what life will be, pondering escape, considering our options.
When the people escaped from Egypt, God led them through the wilderness by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, says the ancient story. There was light to guide their way.
There was light for the shepherds in Bethlehem on Christmas night, says Luke.
There was light for the travelers from the East on Epiphany, says Matthew.
There will be light to guide our way, says Isaiah.
Eat, drink, and count on the light.
Let’s pray:
God of the day, God of the night, we count on you to guide our feet, to show us what is needed, to make us strong for the work. Pour our your spirit on this food and drink, that it may be for us your tangible promise, “Emmanuel, God with us.” Amen.
Now the meal is ready: these are the gifts of God for the people of God.
Post-communion prayer:
We give you thanks, O God, that you have gifted us with food and shown us a way. Nourish us in this meal, and let us be your people, your light. Teach us to live, teach us to love. Amen.