From ‘Notes on the Formation of the Gospels’,
by John Wijngaards; published in Background to the Gospels
(Bangalore & Ann Arbor 1981) and Together in My Name (London
1991).
Luke tells us that the two disciples recognised Jesus at the breaking
of the bread (Luke 24,30-31). This shows the other side of the coin. We are not
only people on the move who travel with Jesus; we also sit at Jesus’
table. No other Gospel has focussed so much attention on meals, banquets and
table fellowship. Jesus himself is ‘always eating’. He always seems
to be coming from a meal, at a meal or going to a meal. Sharing food and drink
indicates a sharing of life.
The Eucharist thus becomes an image of our living together with Jesus
and each other.
Once our eyes are opened to the meaning of this imagery of the meal, we
begin to notice how Luke teaches us a lot about what a Christian community
should be like.
Our community should be open. Jesus ate with tax collectors and
sinners in spite of the criticism of the Pharisees (Luke 5,29-32; 15,1-2). God
does not reject anyone; as Jesus shows through the parables of the lost sheep,
the lost coin and the prodigal son (Luke 15,3-32).
Jesus orders us to invite the poor when we prepare a meal, because
in his community all are welcome: the have-nots, the maimed, the lame and the
blind (Luke 14,12-14).
Through the parable of the great banquet Jesus teaches that
God’s invitation goes out to all. ‘Bring in the poor, the maimed, the
blind and the lame’ (Luke 14,15-24).
It is in the community that people can experience love and
forgiveness. This is brought out in the story of the woman who wiped
Jesus’ feet with her hair (Luke 7,36-50).
We should take the lowest seats in the community6 and even leaders
should wait on others (Luke 22,26-27; see also 12,37).
The community makes us experience Christian joy. We are a happy
family celebrating God’s goodness to us. ‘Bring the fatted calf and
kill it. Let us eat and celebrate!’ (Luke 15,23-32). Zaccheus came down
from the tree and received Jesus into his home with joy (Luke 19,6).
Our sharing food together marks us as a community of love. It reminds us
of the banquet of joy for all nations announced in Isaiah 25,6-10.
Read about this theme in: J.DUPONT, ‘Le Repas d'Emmäus’,
Lumière et Vie 31 (1957) pp. 77-92; E.GALBIATO, ‘Gli
invitati al convito’, Bibbia e Oriente 7 (1965) pp. 129-135;
J.NAVONE, Themes of St.Luke, Rome 1970, pp. 11-37; R.J.KARRIS, Luke:
Artist and Theologian, New York 1985, pp. 47-78.
