a feast indeed

a few pictures and a blessing from a glorious weekend getaway with friends.... 

"To gather joyfully

is indeed a serious affair, 

for feasting and all enjoyments

gratefully taken are, 

at their heart, acts of war. 

In celebrating this feast, 

we declare that evil and death, 

suffering and loss, 

sorrow and tears, 

will not have the final word. 

But the joy of fellowship, and the welcome

and comfort of friends new and old, 

and the celebration of these blessings of 

food and drink and conversation and laughter

are the true evidences of things eternal, 

and are the first fruits of that great glad joy

that is to come and that will be undending....

Bless us, O Lord, as we linger over our cups, 

and over this table laden with good things, 

as we relish the delights of varied texture

and flavor, of aromas and savory spices, 

of dished prepared as acts of love and blessing, 

of sweet delights made sweeter by 

the communion of saints. 

May this shared meal, and our pleasure in it, 

bear witness against the artifice and deceptions 

of the prince of the darkness that would blind

this world of hope.

May it strike at the root of the lie that 

would drain life of meaning and 

the world of joy, and suffering of redemption.  

May this feast fall like a great hammer blow 

against that brittle night, 

shattering the gloom, reawakening our hearts, 

stirring our imaginations, focusing our vision

on the kingdom of heaven that is to come, 

on the kingdom that is promised

on the kingdom that is already

indeed among us, 

for the resurrection of all good things

has already joyfully begun....

Where two or more are gathered, 

O Lord, there you have promised to be. 

And here we are. 

And so, here are you. 

Take joy, O King, in this our feast....

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 

take seat, take feast and take delight..." 

-Douglas McKelvey Every Moment Holy