Woke up this morning to this beautiful view:
We went to Mass at St. Elisabeth in Hamburg, the one English Mass given and it was well attended. The decor of the church was different. As you can see here they had an artist that was showing their work for a few months.
After Mass a man got up to explain the picture and he said it was four drawings in the four corners of the cross. Every depiction was of a scene around a table. Tables are important, he said, they signify where we come to share a meal, make decisions, counsel and solve problems. In these four sections the first showed two fishes on the table which could both represent having plenty or not enough. The second section showed a variety of people gathered around the table, a mother with a child, the elderly, the rich and the poor. The third picture showed the very wealthy at the table with plenty to eat and the many hands of the poor reaching up while the fourth picture showed children sitting on the table happy and with food in their hands.
It was thought invoking…to be quite honest throughout Mass I caught myself staring at the painting trying to figure out what it was and why it would be over the altar so I was happy to have his interpretation. Though I do realize all paintings are subject to various personal interpretations.
I suppose what struck me was the significance of sitting around the table which instills unity and collaboration. Even when there is tension in the air when you gather round the table it serves as the neutral ground.
This Sunday take time to gather round the table whether if it is with your whole family or friends who are like family. You never know what great collaboration might come of your time together or what fences might be mended or laughter shared.
And if you don’t want to make it to the table, then remember that we can just the same meet Christ at the foot of the Cross and ask Christ for what you need to one day gather round the table.
Blessings
Shannon