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October 1, 2006

Mark 9:38-41
“Never too many cups”

Bread
in so many shapes and sizes, formed from so many recipes,
handed down lovingly generation to generation or turned to quickly in a cookbook or conveniently pulled from store shelf and tossed in the shopping cart.
Bread.

Cup
formed from clay or porcelain or plastic, or even cupped hands,
filled with milk or soda or wine or water
lifted in a toast, gulped from a sippy cup, gently held to dying lips.
Cup.

How much of our lives begins and ends with just such substances?
How many of our experiences are shaped using bread and cup?
How many of our memories are formed from base elements of ground grain and potable fluid?

So many moments sacramentalized with food and drink:
-- cake and Kool Aid
-- beer and pretzels
-- tea and cookies
-- champagne and hors d’oevres
-- casseroles and coffee
-- orange juice and waffles
-- bread broken and cup outpoured?

Milestone after milestone marked by meals, shared by friends and family and welcomed strangers:
-- births
-- birthdays
-- baptisms
-- graduations
-- new jobs
-- broken hearts
-- weddings and holy unions
-- promotions
-- retirements
-- accomplishments
-- funerals

From beginning to end, bread and cup mark our journeys along this path.

But, of course, such staples of life mean something real and rich and powerful to so many. More than just us.
Bread and cup are hallmarks of life not just here, in the familiar and comfortable and the near-at-hand,
but also over there, and over there, and way over there, in the unfamiliar and uncomfortable and out-of-reach.
Bread and cup are not exclusive items of the so-called “civilized world,” are not just merchandise to build the American Dream, are not simply products to be placed oh-so-obviously on our television shows and in our movies…

No – food and drink, bread and cup, are fundamental facets world-wide, building blocks for life in India as in Indiana, Nigeria as in New England, Argentina as in Atlanta, Moscow as in Montana, Cambodia as in Cleveland.

Bread, known in so many forms:
Tortilla in El Salvador
Focaccia in Italy
Injera in Ethiopia
Broetchen in Germany
Puri or Naan or Paratha in India
Pita in Lebanon
Rice cakes in Korea
Kaleech in Russia
Baguettes and brioche in France

Biscuits and Cornbread in the southern U.S.
Matzoh challah for our Jewish sisters and brothers
Pretzels at Jacob’s Field
Bagels at Einstein’s
Rye, sourdough, whole wheat, pumpernickel, French
Made of wheat or rye or rice or barley or maize or oats
Perhaps baked with raisins or honey or spices or Asiago cheese

Likewise, the cup is no nation’s exclusive claim
Whether water or wine, milk, fruit juices or sodas
Lemonade, root beer, cream sodas, sarsaparillas, or even a Grape Nehi for Corporal Radar
A horchata is served up in Spain or Mexico
A kumis may be offered in Mongolia
You can order a Kofola in Slovakia or an espresso in Italy or a cider in Ireland.

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world, next to water, and aficionados around the globe can tell you the difference between black and green, white and oolong teas. Whether it be infused with rosehip or chamomile or left just plain, tea is a favorite from Shanghai to Chardon.

And who could forget coffee. Derived from the Arabic word Qah’wa, it has history as far back as the 9th century. The muslim world, including Turkey, Persia and Egypt offered this magical drink to the rest of us through its trade routes and partnerships. Decaf or full-strength, Irish or Columbian or Ethiopian, Fair Trade or on sale at Marc’s, drunk in a swank coffee house, a neighbor’s kitchen table, or at an all-night diner, a cup of coffee is seen by most all as an offer of hospitality and a respite from a weary world.

Bread and cup – world-wide symbols of so much of the human drama.

And yet, we hold them back… we reserve them… we manipulate them… we limit them… Throughout all of history up to this very moment, wars are fought over water rights and grain is used as a pawn for power. Wells are poisoned and humanitarian convoys hijacked. Bread and drink… They are both very real expressions of human need as well as symbols, metaphors, poetic devices to remind us of all that is needed to sustain life. Those who would seek to hoard everything for personal gain do not stop at anything to get what they want. Those of us who believe in God’s abundance cannot let them rule the day.

Jesus boldly confronts those who would limit God’s grace. In the gospel of Mark, chapter 8, on a hillside he confronts the inadequate vision of his disciples and the narrow arrogance of the religious establishment when he transforms seven loaves into enough to feed four thousand, with leftovers. In Chapter 9 he challenges those who would limit his healing powers to only the “insiders” by reminding them, “Truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” Bread is abundant, and there are never too many cups. 

Be aware!  These are counter-cultural cries -- be aware!  "Bread For All!" is a revolutionary's credo and "No One Shall Be Thirsty!" always raises the hackles of the Empire.

At this table, every Sunday and most certainly on this Sunday, we remind ourselves and all who would restrict the gifts of God, not to mention all who have been forbidden to eat at this restaurant: there are no limits…
to grace
to love
to justice
to compassion
to hope
to peace
to possibility
In whatever language it must be spoken, through whatever cultural norms it must be translated, in whatever corner of our world and our human hearts it must be offered, bread and cup are available to all who would, all who would, all who would receive them.

Let us not forget this one fact: Jesus is the one who invites us to this feast. Come to the feast! Come eat the bread! Come drink from the cup! There is enough for all. God’s Grace Is Abundant!

Amen
 

Copyright 2006 -- The Rev. Allen V. Harris

Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113-3096