When you think of certain cities, you think of certain foods.

Chicago has their hot dogs, and woe be to the one who tries to fake one by forgetting not only the toppings but the order in which they go! Boston has cream pie. Buffalo wings. Hershey chocolate. Subsequently when you mention the City of Brotherly Love, you think of cheesesteak. Or red gravy (which is not just spaghetti sauce). I can get on board with that one! If you’re going to have pasta, for the love of God and all that is holy, don’t skimp on the sauce. And none of that runny Ragu out of the jar either! Any cook or chef worth their salt (pun intended) is generous and thick with the secret sauce. Load up that ladle, put your hand under it, and do the sip taste test. Are you hungry yet?

Since Christ died and shed His blood for our salvation, we now know that it is thicker than water. We should never water down the means of grace. In our congregation, we recently had a minor controversy over the Communion wine (sangre de Cristo). Too expensive, too sweet, some said. When we tried a dryer, less expensive variety, it didn’t last long. Of course, it is not like free samples at the winery. It is the free gift of God’s grace, yet also very costly. The sacrament of Christ’s Supper is meant to be lavish, in the spirit of the Wedding at Cana, by some Gospel accounts the first miracle Jesus did. The connection is strong, and much more than Philadelphia “red gravy”. It is literally lifesaving, life-sustaining. It is shed and poured out with unconditional love and not our deserving. It is also abundant and endless.

Pastor Art