In The Breaking Of Bread There Is Holiness

On one of the final days of my recent trip to Israel, our group was invited to the home of an Israeli chef in Jerusalem. The chef prepared a traditional meal with some interesting twists, and she also demonstrated the cooking techniques with help from some of our group. 

It was an amazing experience.  The wine was good, the food was amazing, and the conversations (both serious and light-hearted) were incredible.   There was a holiness in the room that could be felt.  

Those moments are so precious to us as human beings. We often neglect the act of gathering with friends and loved ones to share a meal because we are busy, tired, or stressed.  But today, in a culture filled with broken connections, it's all the more reason to do so.  

Eating together is a simple act, yet it holds profound significance in shaping community and fostering connection. 

In a world often divided by differences—whether of culture, background, or beliefs—the shared experience of a meal offers a unique space where those divisions can be softened and understanding can flourish. 

When we gather around the table, we open ourselves to stories, listening, and discovery. Breaking bread together bridges gaps that words alone may not reach, creating an environment where empathy and compassion can take root.

Throughout history, and especially in the life of Jesus, sharing a meal has been a powerful symbol of unity and reconciliation. The Gospel accounts frequently depict Jesus dining with a diverse array of people—from tax collectors to sinners, believers to skeptics—each meal an opportunity to build bridges and foster community. 

For Jesus, these moments at the table were more than nourishment for the body; they were invitations into relationship, glimpses of the kingdom of God where all are welcomed and loved. His act of sitting and eating with others exemplifies that creating space at the table is an act of love and acceptance, breaking down walls of hostility and judgment.

This deep truth resonates profoundly in the Christian practice of Holy Communion. When believers partake in this sacred meal, they are reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice and his invitation to be in communion with God and one another. 

Holy Communion elevates a simple act—eating bread and drinking wine—into a sacrament that signifies unity, holiness, and the presence of Christ among us. It points us to the divine hospitality that seeks to include all and transforms everyday moments into sacred events. 

In this way, even a modest meal shared among friends can mirror the spiritual significance of the Eucharist, becoming a tangible sign of community, grace, and reconciliation.

I encourage you to see the potential for sacredness in your own everyday interactions. Like Jesus at the table, we are called to extend hospitality, to welcome others, and to create spaces where connection and healing can occur. 

Whether inviting a neighbor over for dinner or gathering friends to share a meal, each act of hospitality extends Christ’s ministry, offering a glimpse of the divine love and unity that God desires for all creation. 

In bringing people together around food, we participate in a sacred act, embodying the love and inclusiveness of Jesus himself. Let us embrace this calling, trusting that we are witnessing and continuing the great feast of community and grace God has prepared for us all in our simple acts of sharing meals.

May it be so, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us now and always. Amen.