Politics around the table is a part of our conversation today as we tackle 1st Corinthians 11:27 34 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller hello good people.

Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh.

This is where we take a fresh reading of the New Testament based on the Revised Common Lectionary.

That's a three year cycle of the reading of the Bible for this very date.

We're in the epiphany season.

It's year C of the Lectionary and we read the Bible in a way that's understandable.

We use the message translation relatable.

We offer you some points to ponder and applicable.

We give you an action step to choose.

We do all of that in under 10 minutes and have a prayer too.

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Our reading today from First Corinthians 11:27 34 reading from the message Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered and spit on him at his death.

Is that the kind of remembrance you want but you want to be a part of?

Examine your motives, test your heart.

Come to this meal in holy awe if you give no thought, or worse, don't care about the broken body, the Master.

When you eat and drink, you're running the risk of serious consequences.

That's why so many of you even now are listless and sick and others have gone to an early grave.

If we get this straight now, we won't have to be straightened out later on.

Better to be confronted by the Master now than to face a fiery confrontation later.

So my friends, when you come together to the Lord's table, be reverent and courteous with one another.

If you're hungry that you can't wait to be served, go home and get a sandwich.

But by no means risk turning this meal into an eating and drinking binge or a family squabble.

It's a spiritual meal, a love feast.

The other things you asked me about I'll respond to in person when I make my next visit.

Words of Paul there, and they're interesting and intriguing passage of scripture and he really addresses this sacred practice of communion and the deeper implications for our community and for justice.

Let's take a look at some points to ponder about this.

There's the politics of the table.

An interesting thing to look at here.

Paul's concern isn't merely about individual reverence, but about economic justice at the communion table.

In the early church, wealthy Christians were eating lavishly while poor members went hungry during community meals.

When Paul speaks of eating and drinking irreverently, he's addressing this systematic inequality.

The communion table should be a place where social hierarchies dissolve and economic justice is embodied.

Another point to ponder is collective responsibility.

The passive warning here about serious consequences isn't about divine punishment, but rather about the natural results of a community breakdown.

When we fail to recognize our interconnectedness, the body of Christ, we all suffer.

Today we might see this how inequality, racism and other forms of oppression ultimately harm entire societies, not just those who are directly targeted.

One more point to ponder, and that is reimagining sacred space.

Paul's instruction here is to examine your motives invites us to consider how we create truly inclusive sacred spaces.

The communion table should be a place of radical welcome, where we are all fed physically and spiritually.

This challenges us to examine who might be excluded from our faith communities and why.

Let's take a look at our action step.

Examine your relationships with food, justice and community meals.

Consider organizing or participating in a community meal where everyone eats the same food regardless of social status.

Partner with maybe a local food justice organization, or start conversations in your faith community about food insecurity.

Remember, communion isn't just about bread and wine.

It's about creating a beloved community through shared sustenance.

We'll come back and have a prayer in just a second.

Just a reminder.

Hey, we have a great Bible study resource just for you and we just want to offer it as a gift.

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1, 2, 3.

We invite you to use it alongside your daily listening to the Scriptures here on Daily Bible Refresh.

Use it as a guide for your personal Bible study.

You can find it as a free gift at Voice of God daily.

Now let's pray.

God, you are the source of life and love, and we confess.

We often create divisions where you intend unity, build walls where you envision tables and hoard abundance where others go while others go without.

Help us remember that every meal is sacred, every table and altar, every gathering, a chance for transformation.

Give us courage to examine our hearts, wisdom to share our resources and strength to build communities of true equality and strength to build.

And may we become people who feast together, who ensure that all are fed, and who recognize your presence in every face around the table.

Amen.

Hey, it's always incredible joy and pleasure for me personally to be with you here on the Daily Bible Refresh.

I think you're enjoying it too, or you wouldn't be here.

And I appreciate you being here.

I thank you so much.

How about joining me again tomorrow and bring a friend as we engage in the Scriptures one more time again with the Daily Bible Refresh.

Until that time, remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every.