"An Ode to Open Communion"

There’s a word in Spanish

That has no English equivalent

The word 

Is sobremesa.

The meal was delicious

The people delightful

The dialogue delivered

And time’s not demanding

So the dishes are delayed.

Sobremesa

It stands for the time that’s not time for standing

When the conversation starts converting

From small talk to medium talk

Lock, stock, and talk talk talk

Around an eternal table. 

It’s a little bit how I picture heaven.

No errands to run

Because you can’t run anyway on such a full stomach.

And we’ll just Be.

Just Be

Be With.

Tasting together

Smelling together

Listening to each other

Seeing each other

Feeling each other

You get me?

I feel you.

This is community.

This is communion.

This is our meal.

Our weekly or monthly or special occasionally Sobremesa with God.

A little eternity  to bask in the Divine community

No tasks

No where to be or when to be or who to be or why to be.

Just us. 

Together. 

With God. 

We may laugh, but isn’t all giggles 

There may be rainbows, but the rain isn’t far. 

The wine and bread aren’t tea and cake 

It’s for Jesus’ sake. His own body

He gave it up for our own sake

So we take that wine

and break that bread

And make our peace with a sacrifice we can’t begin to understand or deserve. 

This meal is grace.

There is not and can never be a shortage of Grace and Mercy and Love in this meal. 

This sacred sobremesa.

Am I painting an appetizing picture?

Are you hungering and thirsting for righteousness?

Well let me ask you this.

Who is invited to your sobremesa?

Will you let all participate?

Or will you obligate your brothers and sisters 

To compensate the collection plate?

Is this meal served only for the consecrate?

For those who have achieved a sinless state?

Or can obliterate their doubts and wounds?

Or at any rate, those who

Hate what you hate?

Let’s get this straight.

The table is ready

All are invited.

it’s free. 

Given to us to give it away because it is precious

Because it is priceless

Because it is valuable because it is invaluable 

Our sacred Sobremesa. 

Amen