The New Room is sharing a Friday reflection each week. We hope that these short reflections will act as a point of spiritual focus, enabling a moment of quiet thought and prayer.

This week’s reflection is from Revd Josette Crane, one of our chaplains at the New Room. 

Revelation 3:20
Look I am standing at the door knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at that person’s side. New Jersualem Bible 

I have been listening to podcasts during lockdowns and one I have enjoyed very much is The Happiness Half Hour from Radio Bristol. The series is based on scientific research and is taught as a module for every student to take at Bristol University. One piece of research shows how activities shared with other people are more fully experienced. Indeed this has been one of the main losses in the isolation of lockdowns. It will be wonderful to be able to share meals again in other peoples’ homes and in restaurants.  

Researchers asked subjects to note the difference between two pieces of chocolate eaten whilst reading a book in a library. What they didn’t know was that the research was timed so that one piece of chocolate was eaten alone, but the other was eaten whilst a stranger came and sat at the table with them. The stranger only read a book and didn’t speak. But every person said that the chocolate eaten when the stranger was present tasted much nicer. In fact the chocolate was all from the same bar, it should have tasted the same.  

Jesus promises that he has come to help us to live life in all its fullness. Jesus is saying, with me alongside you, life will taste all the sweeter. When we invite Jesus into the moment then we are more fully living in that moment. The image of Jesus saying I will come in to share a meal at your side makes me think again of the Emmaus story. Jesus accompanied the disciples on their journey and then came in to share a meal with them, helping them to fully see him and fully know how he is sharing in their lives. 

Prayer
Jesus you offer to share your life with us. We invite you into the moments of our day to help us to live more fully in God’s presence. Amen.