The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Absence of the Table

Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

April 18, 2018

I am reminded during this recent Holy week and Easter celebration of "Table of Grace" and absence of the family table which I think is so important to families and the upbringing of children.

The "Table of Grace" in the Bible reflects on the last time that Jesus and His disciples gathered in the "upper room" for Communion. It is most often depicted in the famous works of the artist Leonardo da Vinci as "The Last Supper" which he painted in 1495-1498. You will see interpretations of his 15th-century mural hung in many Christians' dining rooms.

On the last night before Christ was arrested, beaten and hung on a cross, Jesus gathered his disciples to answer questions, pray with them, and encourage them, knowing he would soon not be physically presence, but they would have to become strong to stand on their own in loving and teaching others to following God's ways.

Many are failing to gather their "flock" around the family table, which is one of the major keys in keeping families together, focused and strong, while also helping each other with life's ups and downs. If rules of non-condemning, but open communication in love and encouragement are kept, with an invisible presence of Christ at the head of your table, I envision a nation healed.

I see couples on The Property Brothers' popular TV show tell hosts Drew and Jonathan that they don't need a dining room in their home, only a bar in the kitchen.

Others asked for a tv/theater room, a man cave, a get-away, various or nooks and crannies with more isolation, while avoiding the family table.

Looking back to our grandparents', what I miss most is mealtime and table-talk, not just because her homemade cooking is the best, but because everyone around the table asked to hear about our day and encouraged us on paths we were on, or helped us through a difficult path we were on.

Table time was a welcome, safe place full of love and grace and always began with a prayer. It is what Christ modeled to us at "The Last Supper". It's unconditional love.

If we take away the family table and gather around a TV where each other is no longer the focus, or fail to gather at all, where do we get our support and love and stability? I think they'll be looking for it in other places.