What’s that? In our time, we are so used to knowing a church as a building, we don’t even think of anything else. Bible scholars point out that the word “church” was used to describe a family. We read that the church is called “God’s household” (1 Timothy 3:15). Followers of ‘the Way” shared common meals. (Acts 2:46-48). People lived life together (Acts 2:44-46) and as a family, were expected to care for and love one another deeply (1 Peter 1:22). Not surprisingly then, the New Testament churches typically met in the homes of believers to share stories and memories and food. CNWE–NB (Catholic Network for Women’s Equality) enjoyed a House Church event last Friday in Fredericton.
Recently, while reflecting in chapel on what the Visitation means to me I began to think of my years as a teenager where my mother would often invite friends or family for coffee and cake on a Friday. For some reason I began to giggle, since as a Jewish girl in a Jewish household, visiting was what we did. Sitting around the kitchen table sharing stories from the day, talking about this and that, these were visitation moments. For me these moments were essential building blocks on how to engage others in conversation. I would watch my mother, the way she would greet family and friends with kisses or a simple hug. She was a gracious host who always had the best cakes or cookies from the Jewish bakery.
