"God's City: that image has long gathered to itself massive human hopes. Would that there were a city, with all the intensity and vigor of the great cities that have centered human life and attracted human imagination and made order out of the human experience of geography, but now whole, sheltering and welcoming all, healing, luminous with God's presence, with the Spirit of God.
Such a city would be where God dwells.
Well, say Augustine and Luther and much of the Christian tradition, to taste the meal is already to find oneself entering into the city. The exchange of the meal--we bring wretchedness and are given blessedness--is the commerce of the city.
But is it for us?
Come to the table. The gift of the meal is the word of Christ--"My body, my blood for you" -- which may be kept, kept in the heart, held, the risen one still speaking there. Those who receive it become the very dwelling place of God. Where God dwells there is the city. Eat and drink. In the visible word which is the bread and cup, you are gathered with all the redeemed little ones into the city of the Lamb."
GORDON LATHROP
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