Three years ago, I chose Northwestern because when I visited, while I was standing in the taco line at the Caf, an upperclassman started talking to me like I was a life-long friend. She did not know my name; and it wasn’t the words we were exchanging that had such a profound impact on me, but rather the way she spoke with me – with such intentionality and love, like I was already a part of the Raider family simply by coming to visit.
I am hopeful that those reading this have had similar experiences with the community here at NW. Is it a cliché? Absolutely. Although I joke about it myself at times, I do have to acknowledge the nature of its truth. It brings me such joy to walk around campus to hear the buzz of conversation and laughter. I am immensely blessed by the presence of each person who has intentionally chosen to be a part of this campus community, even if I do not personally know each and every one of you.
And yet, despite it all, some find themselves without anyone to eat meals with. We promote this image of NW as a tight-knit community, and yet, we remain well within our comfort zone at the tables we find ourselves in. As a community, it is imperative that we remind each other that as Christians, we are called to the table of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, just as we are. Not only are we invited to the table, but we show up to find a spot with our name, set specifically for each one of us. As the Lord continually put this image of a table on my heart, it dawned on me what the deeper symbolism here conveys. The image of a table as a gathering place is one of presence, peace and provision. When we come to the table of the Lord, either through Scripture or physically through the Eucharist, we are in the presence of God, and we continue to receive his peace and provision through these practices.
We even see the imagery of the table in Scripture with Jesus at the Last Supper. While it does not explicitly say that the Lord conveys his peace, provision, and presence to His people in that instance, I think it is safe to say that what is unsaid here speaks volumes. On the night Jesus was betrayed, he is ultimately present with his disciples, inviting them to the table he prepared intentionally for that moment. Matthew 26:26-28 says, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.’” (New International Version, Matthew 26:26-28)
If I was in Jesus’ shoes in that moment, I would not have been doing what he did. And yet, at the center of it all, Jesus chose presence, peace and provision for his disciples over his own circumstances and what he inevitably knew was awaiting him.
The deep human desire to be known and to be loved is not new. We all want it; we all need it. So, take a step out of your comfort zone. We all have a seat at the table, and I pray that this campus would be a reflection of Jesus’ table. And if you are feeling a lack of these things on this campus, at home or wherever you find yourself, I pray you would let yourself rest in the truth that Jesus sees you and invites you with open arms to take your place at his table. You can, and will find his presence, peace and provision there.
