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Reflection
This reflection is dedicated to Chapter 3 in Mission in Acts written by Santos Yao, titled Dismantling Social Barriers through Table Fellowship. I found this chapter exceptionally relevant to my faith journey and life experience because of the presence of rigid social and cultural divisions within the present-day community. These divisions are observable on a broader social scale and are at the same time pronounced in the modern Christian community of believers. Christianity has become fragmented and divided throughout the centuries due to cultural and geopolitical tensions. Therefore, I have enriched my theological practice and Christian ethics by turning to Yaos analysis of communal eating practices as a symbol of undivided fellowship and social acceptance.
The central message that Yao aimed to deliver in his discussion of table fellowship is the honorable tradition of klasei tou artou breaking of bread that distinguished the Christian community. That tradition was created by Jesus, who broke his bread with his apostles and taught the deeply stratified society about the unity of all people. Thus, the table fellowship practice helped the early Christians gain the vital sense of kinship that helped them withstand the turbulent times of prosecution and rejection. I believe that this tradition can also inform the modern social practices with its deeply rooted generosity and equality values, closing the gap between insiders and outsiders, the rich and the poor, the mainstream and the marginalized. Therefore, I think that Yaos focus on eating as a social practice and the culture of sharing in Christianity can become a workable solution to the present-day social challenges. By integrating the practice of sharing and fellow support, people can attain a much higher level of spiritual well-being, thriving in a better world devoid of artificial social lines.
The discussion of Yao offers an informative perspective on the concept of otherness that plagues modern society in multiple domains. People are divided across the lines of race, ethnicity, skin color, and religion, which isolates groups from each other and creates artificial barriers. As a result, any newcomer feels marginalized and not accepted, pressed to adjust and accommodate for survival. Christianity offers a different path of universal acceptance and fellowship that does not favor any marginalization and removes the concept of otherness from human relationships. Yao proposes a unifying tradition spanning various cultures by turning to his native Chinese culture and the significant role of shared eating in Chinese families. This observation is inspiring for me and relevant for modern intercultural dialogue that can be shaped around universal spiritual values instead of dividing characteristics.
Exegetical Application
Table fellowship can be a powerful tool for practicing the great Christian commission. Christians should provide spiritual and physical nourishment to non-believers through table fellowship, promoting the gospel and converting more people to Christianity. Most believers practice table fellowship by attending seminars or visiting other Christians to study the bible. However, () tells us that one must make table fellowship a lifestyle like Jesus and his disciples. In all of Acts, Jesus shares the gospel during every meal, and the disciples adopt the practice even after the death of Jesus. Making a table fellowship lifestyle entail witnessing Gods word at the dining table, at dinner parties, in cafeterias and at the workplace. A Christian has to engage others in conversations about the good news of Christ, Gods compassion, and love while eating because it provides both physical and spiritual needs.
Historically and in the New Testament, the most effective method of spreading the gospels was through informal conversation in public places, along trade routes and from one house to another. The informal conversations enhanced sharing of Gods words among relatives, non-believers, friends and customers, creating a network of exchanging and spreading Gods word. In Acts 27: 33-38, Paul shares food with the sailors when they are stranded in the sea despite being held, prisoner. The apostle prays for the bread before breaking it to the numerous soldiers, which extended table fellowship to non-believers, showing them Gods kindness and provision regardless of ones position in life.
Today, Christians can also create conversation at the workplace and home by talking while having a meal. Mealtime discussions include thanksgiving for the provision of food which nourishes the body and sharing a spiritual meal that promotes unity. Christians start biblical topics depending on the audience, ensuring a slow breakdown of Gods word to non-believers. Thus, mealtimes become a tool for spreading Gods word without making it a formal occasion such as going to church or seminars.
Throughout the book of Acts, Jesus exemplifies table fellowship by engaging people from different religions and cultures in biblical conversations. The discussion helps build bridges and mend religious differences leading to worshipping and believing in one sovereign God. As Jesus followers, Christians can build bridges and break societal norms by practicing radical inclusion at the fellowship table. In acts, Jews shared a table with Gentiles, a tradition that enhanced breaking religious and social boundaries that infringed Gods people. Believers can approach inclusion by inviting people from all races, religions and cultural backgrounds to share a meal at the same table. For instance, having a Christian lunch or barbeque with street children, drug addicts and delinquent youths where Christians mingle with the population and spread the gospel. Most young people engage in substance and drug abuse and delinquency because of social insecurities, poverty and lack of moral support.
At the same time, prostitutes and street children struggle to fit into society and make ends meet due to financial inadequacies. Thus, inviting them to share a meal ensures the provision of physical needs and Provision Company from other members of society, which breaks social barriers and insecurities. Consequently, once satisfied physically, the people will listen to the gospel more avidly to know more about God, his kindness and provision for physical and spiritual needs. Serving people from all social, cultural and religious backgrounds symbolizes Christian service to the whole community, which starts locally and spreads to global service through table fellowship.
Based on this readings analysis, I believe that discussing the deep spiritual significance of food sharing in the Christian religion can become an effective remedy for the present-day global crises. While third-world African and Asian countries suffer from poverty and hunger, their invitation to the global Christian table of social goods and food can transform the world order. Today, Christians practice table fellowship through inclusive sharing with the less fortunate and those in lower social status to break social barriers. Believers can also practice the gospel by making conversation during meal times at home, in public places and at work to promote Gods kingdom on earth. Thus, eliminating religious and economic barriers via breaking bread is the best Christian tradition that can bring the global communitys misfortunes to an end as it did in ancient times for Jews and Gentiles.
Bibliography
Massingale, N, B., Cover, B, M., Thiede, S, J., and Burns, E, J. The Table Fellowship of Jesus and Its Implications for Racial Justice. Essay. In Bridging Scripture and Moral Theology: Essays in Dialogue with Yiu Sing Lucas Chan, S.J., 2336. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2019.
The Holy Bible: King James Version. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2014.
Yao, S. Dismantling Social Barriers Through Table Fellowship. In R. L. Gallagher & P. Hertig (Eds.), Mission in Acts: Ancient Narratives in Contemporary Context, 29-36. Orbis Books, 2004.
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