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From Dave Tomlinson,Ìýwriter and Vicar of St Luke’s Holloway in London:

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In my job I have sad moments but many happy times too. One of the best

and also most humbling occurred last week on Maundy Thursday when

80 people at St Luke’s were treated to a Syrian feast courtesy of two

beautiful people who fled the hell of Aleppo to find a home in London.

Maundy Thursday is the day when Jesus shared a last meal with his

friends before being arrested then executed on Good Friday. Knowing

that he was entering the lion’s den at Jerusalem, and sensing what lay

ahead, he gathered with loved ones. After supper, he famously washed

his disciple’s feet – the task of a servant – telling them that this was

what following him involved: a life of serving others.

Our Muslim friends from Syria appeared to comprehend what Jesus’

meant. For four days they planned, shopped, then cooked up a veritable

feast, while folk from the church looked after their children. In a

candlelit church laid out for a banquet, we re-enacted the last supper

prepared by people of a different faith and background but a common

heart and soul.

Before we ate, our chefs told us how grateful they were to feel safe in

London. Not everyone finds London a safe place but compared with what

they left behind, still bearing wounds sustained from their embattled

home city, our newfound friends have discovered a haven of peace.

My overwhelming sense last Thursday was of a shared humanity. We

hail from different circumstances, different cultures and faiths yet with

laughter, tears and magnificent food we celebrated a deeper unity.

In a world that feels increasingly uncertain it’s tempting to huddle

together with people like ourselves and fear those who are different. But

as our Maundy Thursday meal showed, everything changes when we

encounter real people instead of imagined stereotypes. Certainly,

nothing highlights human community more powerfully than a small

child, and it was fun to watch people lining up to hold our chefs’ baby

girl – who could win an Olympic gold when it comes to smiling at

strangers.

If, as Jesus said, serving others – friends and strangers – is how we

demonstrate the authenticity of faith, then last Thursday we were

treated to a master class in spiritual commitment that we will never

forget.