This resurrection business must be tiring work, Jesus is always eating.  Each time he’s with his followers and after wishing them “Peace” is “What’s in the refrigerator?”  This guy just can’t get enough nutrition in him.  (I wonder if this made the ascension difficult.  It may have taken two or three attempts before Jesus was lifted up!)

We don’t really use the word “banquet” anymore.  We’d say a “buffet.”  It’s more popular and offers a wider assortment of foods for hungry souls.  Jesus’ followers are never sure who this guy is until some food is shared.  Then, suddenly, it occurs to them that this is the Christ (not his last name) but the Son of God.  Who he is now is the reason for everything that happened before this resurrection.  (The light finally clicks on.)

This revelation and awareness must have been exhilarating to his followers.  It freed them to finally admit and finally know.  Struggling with the meaning and purpose of this guy, they simply break some bread with him and it all becomes clear.  (“Oh, that’s what he meant!”)  We sometimes think of the apostles as slow learners but look who’s coloring the kettle black!  We’re pretty slow learners as well.  It may take us years to learn a simple truth about ourselves or someone close to us.  A simple truth that we’ve denied for years, a simple awareness that was in front of us all the time; a simple revelation of a greater and deeper meaning to our lives.

All accomplished after “Peace be with you” is said and a piece of bread shared; in the early morning quiet, gathered around a fireplace with the wind dying down and truths making themselves known.