Art Reading Scripture

Stained Glass Window German Church Stockholm Sweden

"These all look to you to give them their food in due season; when you give to them they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things." Psalm 104:27

It is a simple thing to pause before a meal and say thanks. "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blest. Amen." My grandson has learned to wait before his plate and say, "Thanks for the food" before taking a bite. Rather than let appetite and desire take precedence, we pause to express gratitude to creation, to the once living plant or animal on the table, to the ones who prepared the meal, and to God. Or again, to give thanks is to resist the idea that we have earned, have a right to, or deserve our daily daily bread. Daily bread is before us ever and always as a gift. It feels strange when I find myself with others who do not pause even for a moment to give thanks. It seems awkward as to who will begin the meal with the first bite as though without giving thanks we do not yet have consent to eat. So, when at restaurants or with others who do not say grace I briefly close my eyes, say "Thank you," and then eat. When I have breakfast in the morning at home by myself I still say, "Come Lord, Jesus..."

Many homes and kitchens have the "Grace" painting of the old man bowing before his bread and bowl of soup. At the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin I saw the painting "Table Grace" by Fritz von Udhe depicting a peasant family gathering for a meal. Jesus is also painted into the scene as the family humbly offers him a seat at the table. Jesus is literally welcomed as a guest. Jesus literally fulfills the prayer. At Passover a seat is set at the table of Jewish home for Elijah whose coming precedes the advent of the Messiah and the world's redemption.

At the German Church in Stockholm this stained glass window of grace adorns one of the wall openings. It is a bit unusual since most stained glass windows depict stories of the life of Christ or of the saints. This window seen by worshippers puts their daily life into the story and practice of faith. The Great Thanksgiving prayers lead into the the reception of the communion meal. "'The Lord be with you.' 'And also with you.' 'Lift up your hearts.' 'We lift them to the Lord.' 'Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.' 'It is right to give him thanks and praise.'" So also prior to every meal we offer thanks to God and everything else that provides us with food.

The window, like the "Grace" and "Table Grace" paintings show a family in the humble setting of a home. This is not a scene of a great banquet attended by kings and nobles, or or a celebration feast for a wedding as at Cana. Rather it comes directly from a families daily life. Even the dog waits patiently before its bowl waiting to be fed. As the mother ladles out the soup you can hear the others saying, "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen." There are many other graces that one may know or offer. May no meal be eaten without gratitude. May no bite be taken as though it were merely food.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer