Recently, I was invited to join some old friends for a short trip to Vancouver Island. There wasn’t a birthday, anniversary, reunion, or special celebration on the calendar. We simply wanted to spend some time together. We explored the island, Victoria, hiked, shared stories, and enjoyed some great meals around the gathering table at the house. The table had an amazing view of Saanich Inlet through a large glass wall, and while we ate and talked, we could look out and watch orca whales, seals and sea lions. Not a bad backdrop for catching up with old friends.
You know, when we gather around a table, especially one filled with good food and familiar faces, something special happens. Walls come down, stories come out, and laughter fills the air. It’s not really about the food, the view, or even where we happen to be. It’s about being together. And maybe that’s part of what Jesus was getting at in John 17:20–26 when He prayed that we would all be one. Deeply connected—like close friends and family. That kind of unity doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention. It means choosing to pull up another chair instead of putting up a fence. It means making room for people who don’t look, think, or worship exactly like us. And honestly, isn’t that what the best tables are made of? A little bit of everything. A little bit of everyone.
Churches and communities have beautiful opportunities to build those kinds of tables. Instead of guarding what’s “ours,” we can share what has been freely given—grace, love, kindness, and belonging. We can be the people who say, “Come on in. There’s room for you.” Because when we build gathering tables, we don’t just feed bodies—we nourish souls.
So maybe the invitation isn’t just for Sunday. Maybe it’s for every day: Let’s be people who build gathering tables. Let’s listen, welcome, and love wide and deep. Because when we make room for one another, we’re living out Jesus’ prayer—and that’s something worth celebrating.
Reflection: Jesus prayed for unity—not just among His disciples, but for all who would come to believe. That kind of unity calls us to build bigger gathering tables, not higher walls. When we make room for others, we reflect the heart of God and create communities where love leads and everyone belongs.