Comfort food

“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead” (John 21:12–14).

Video equipment and technology are getting lots of use these days in church sanctuaries, staff homes and other places, as they are employed to share the message of God’s Word online. However, there is one place, usually a hub of hospitality, not seeing any action during this time: the church kitchen.

During the years that I served as a parish DCE, my Holy Week schedule would include time set aside to spend in the church kitchen to inventory supplies, organize the refrigerator, and begin the process of Easter breakfast preparations. The shopping list would need to be started, the table decorations checked, paper goods counted, and, most importantly, industrial coffee makers inspected.

The celebration of Easter will be different for many of us this year. Social distancing and sheltering in place will keep us away from many of the worship traditions we enjoy together. Churches are working diligently to create new ways for us to share our “He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!” We give thanks for these opportunities knowing the tomb is empty and our salvation guaranteed through Christ’s death and resurrection.

But what about Easter breakfast?

As we read in John 21, Jesus, in his third post-resurrection encounter with a group of His disciples, shared breakfast on the beach. The menu everyone enjoyed was bread and fish served to them by their Savior. Following the meal, John recounts the powerful conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter. The shared meal and the ensuing conversation brought reassurance to the disciples.

Like the disciples, we can continue with a shared meal and conversation this year. It won’t be the usual Easter breakfast fare shared with others around decorated tables in the fellowship hall — or, as in many churches, prepared and served by the youth group. But whatever the menu and setting, our Easter breakfast can still provide connection and comfort around the table.

This year I plan to resurrect the no-fail breakfast quiche recipe prepared each Easter by youth, parents and adult leaders in the congregations where I have served. You may want to try it or one of your own favorites. Read some further ideas for Easter traditions from Tawn Bueltmann’s article “Parenting Point: Easter Traditions for Families with Teens.”

Whatever may be served at your Easter breakfast table, may you and those you love join with the Psalmist in saying, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8). He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!