The Table

a brief reflection on furnishing worship space ..."To the rest I say—I and not the Lord ...." -1 Corinthians 7:12aLike the font, the Lord's Table has a tendency to become a display stand rather than function as the everpresent reminder of being nourished by the Lord. There's also the historical contrast in theology/practice between the Protestant and other traditions.  So, to try to keep it simple, the Lord's table should always look like a DINNER TABLE at which you could gather the disciples for a meal.Some tables are closed at the base, appearing more like "altars" on which something is sacrificed, or "stands" for holding objects, rather than "tables" at which disciples eat together.  Other tables are more "open" at the base, like those in the composite photo above. Such tables give much more visual support to the notion that you could actually pull up a chair to that table, as some congregations actually do in special services from time to time.  I imagine a practical reason why some tables are more "closed" at the base is that it gives structural support to what may be a heavy furnishing, but often at the cost of an important aspect of the symbolism that the Lord's Table should convey.Another matter perhaps worthy of consideration is the inscription on the Lord's (Communion) Table.  In confirmation class, or somewhere along the way, many Presbyterians learn about different theological perspectives on the Lord's Supper.  One common perspective is summarized with the label "Memorialist," in which it is believed that the bread and wine are symbolic (merely symbolic?) of the body and blood of Christ.  Another perspective is summarized with the label "Reformed," and associated with John Calvin, who said something like the spiritual benefits of the risen, ascended Christ are present in the experience of the Lord's Supper through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.Many communion tables reflect/reinforce a Memorialist perspective by using the inscription "(Do this) in remembrance of me" (Luke 22, 1 Corinthians 11). In contrast, a verse that would better reflect and reinforce Calvin's theology would be:  "(When he was a table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.) Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him ...."  (Luke 24:30-31) Such an inscription would be a more unique and powerful reminder that in worship we do not simply "remember" Jesus from long ago, but are nourished by the risen Christ who is present in worship through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who opens our eyes to see.