"Christ is the head of this house,
the unseen guest (host) at every meal,
the silent listener to every conversation."
Many of us have this common plaque hanging in our homes but many of us do not understand the true meaning of what is being proclaimed with these three simple statements.
- Christ is the head of this house.
- "As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever and they told Jesus about her. So He went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them." (Saint Mark 1:29-31).
- Jesus was in that house - Simon's mother-in-law was healed.
- The unseen guest (host) at every meal.
- Why do we put (host) in parenthesis here?
- "He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."' (Saint Luke 22:10-12).
- Jesus went into this house as a guest but who was the person who broke the bread? He was. He was the guest who became the host.
- The silent listener to every conversation.
- We believe that God knows everything that goes on. He knows even our thoughts so it comes as no surprise that he listens to our conversations.
- "When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Saint Luke 24:30-32).
- Importance of Holy Qurbana: After they ate the bread of Christ, their eyes were opened.
- Importance of learning the Holy Word: After listening to the Word, their hearts were burning.
