Last Meal

Recently, on FaceBook, I saw a link to an artist's series of photographs of the last meals ordered by notorious criminals before they were executed by the state for their crimes.

You can take a look, too: http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/12-pictures-of-death-row-prisoners-last-meals#.mt1edMPoVz

I can't help but think that this tradition of the death row last meal is linked to Jesus' story, the story of Holy Week.  We remember on Maundy Thursday that on the night of Jesus' betrayal and incarceration--the night before he was executed--he shared a final meal with his disciples.  Perhaps our Western culture adopted last meal from the Christian scriptures in a desire to show some small mercy, some final small sign of grace, to condemned prisoners.  I don't know if such a link or etiology is true, and so I speak on it now without authority.

An inmate's last supper is not simply a courtesy, but a reminder of and link to Christ.  As the scripture says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved..." (Ephesians 2:4-5).  Though it seems such a small gesture, the last meal can be a powerful reminder that Jesus has given sinners and criminals his own body and blood to eat and drink.  The last free choice a death row inmate makes is what to have for a last meal.  And one meal is all they get for their death.  It feels paltry and can even perhaps be felt as an insult or a joke.  Yet, though the kindness is small, God's work in it is potentially great.  For the last meal echoes the Last Supper and we hear the reverberations: "Then he took a cup...saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28) and again, "...'Do this...in remembrance of me.'  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:25b-26).

But just as with so many of our powerful symbols, the last meal pales in comparison with the truth.  The point of Jesus' last meal was not just the food, but what the food did and what the food--the meal--was doing even in that moment and continues to do across time whenever we remember or do likewise.  The point was Communion, and it was, indeed, and continues to be holy.  That is what the death row inmate is denied: eating the meal with their closest friends and family.

Before his trial and death, Jesus sat with the disciples.  They ate; they drank; they shared life; they talked and laughed; they worried and mourned; they remembered the successes and defeats of their ancestors; they remarked on God's presence and work among them.  Whatever tomorrow would bring, these people bonded in a community that night.  Then, miraculously, Jesus--in that very meal--took a human community and made it a holy communion.  Through Jesus, they would bond in the breaking of the bread, and they would be caught up in the pouring out of wine.  From that day forward they would eat not just bread alone, but the Son of God.  And in the eating, they would be unified with God and each other in bonds invisible and unbreakable.

We see the death-row inmate eat alone.  But this is false.  Jesus is always present at the last supper, whether it is eaten by the righteous or the sinner.   And if Jesus is present, then the whole Church must be as well.  Because you don't get to choose the communion, Jesus does.

This Gospel poses a problem and a scandal.  I despise the idea that Jesus would condescend, would lower himself, by sitting with an abuser or murderer or rapist.  How much more offensive to think that he eats with them, let alone forgives them or loves them!  I struggle with the thought that he died for them.  And yet the Innocent One died for the sins of humanity, we are told.  What use would a savior be if he or she only wiped clean the white lies or merely things like grand theft?  We require a more powerful savior than that, I think.  But what a two edged sword this more powerful savior is!  How painful when the Savior cuts away our sin, our sensibilities are sliced and our ability to forgive is dissected for inspection.  But having a God who is unchangeable means that no matter what happens, no matter what we do, our relationship with God need not change.  The Cross is proof that the steadfast love of God endures forever.

Do not mistake me--or the Gospel.  I am not saying let all the prisoners go free and free of consequence.  I am not even saying that the death penalty should be abolished--that message doesn't help the one having their last meal this very day.  No.  There are consequences in this world.  When I refuse to put on my jacket when my mother tells me to, I will suffer the cold.  My mother will eventually forgive me for not doing what she said, but that won't change the fact that I will be cold.  If I commit adultery, my wife may forgive me, but that doesn't mean that our marriage will survive, or if it does survive it certainly will be forever changed because of my actions.  When we sin in this world, we must face the worldly consequences.  But with God, forgiveness is pardon.  The consequences of our sins have become the Cross...and someone else took on those consequences so that we wouldn't lose our inheritance.  And as hard as it is, Jesus died on the cross taking up all the sins of the world.  Not just my little, forgivable sins, but also the enemy's major and unforgivable ones.  I don't like it, but marvel at the power of such a Savior.

We say that Jesus died for the sinner, that Jesus (who knew no sin) took on the sins of others and died for it.  We say that on the Cross, Jesus destroyed sin and death.  But how many believe what is said?  Until we can see the Last Supper in the last meal....  No.  Until we can see Jesus in and through the guilty inmate sentenced to die, we haven't fully appreciated the gift we have all been give.  Until we can bear to image God present on death row or in the injection chamber, we do not know the power of God--we do not appreciate the lengths God with go for love.  Until we feel the profound unity that comes with Holy Communion, we cannot appreciate the Resurrection.

Each of us is walking a row that leads to death.  At any time, our daily bread may turn out to be our last supper.  Yet every bite and every sip stand as a reminder of the Holy Meal, the Holy One who brings life.  And Holy Communion brings us Jesus Christ, who unites us together with our immortal and all-mighty God.

Today, we pray for the imprisoned, and for those facing execution, whether they are innocent or guilty---because Jesus was imprisoned and faced execution.  And because Jesus lived and died for the ones who live it.  Today, we pray for those who are ordering their last supper, that Jesus be present at that table and drink of the same cup.  For by Jesus' presence sin is turned to righteousness and death is turned to life.

On the Cross, Jesus gathers ALL people to himself.  And through his body and blood he makes ALL people one.  And in Holy Communion, we all get a new "life on the outside."

What blessed joy is ours in such grace.