Eat and drink together
Day 598, Wednesday, April 1
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Early Christian gatherings were in homes, not in custom-built worship spaces. The focal point was not symbolic wine and bread, but an actual meal.
In today’s reading from chapter 11, Paul provides instruction about what that meal should, and should not, be like.
The problem seems to have been that the food was not being shared. Families or groups of friends would bring their own meals and eat them in the presence of others, but not along with others. “As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.” This caused meals that should have been celebrations of community to instead reinforce divisions. “So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.”
Gathering together for a meal should be a time for self-reflection and for celebration of the Christian body. “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment upon themselves.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Wednesday meditation

Psalms 105:1-4
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Prayer focus
God, make us into the kind of church that gathers together to celebrate your presence and our unity.