We typically think of companions as those who accompany us on a journey, be it a lifelong journey or simply a trip to the supermarket. But when we unlock the word companion we discover that it has less to do with travel and more to do with eating.
The word companion, literally translated, means – with bread. The ancient memory stored within the word reminds us that sharing food with another is an act of love, friendship, and compassion.
Now, all four gospels of the New Testament give an account of the final meal Jesus eats with his disciples before he is arrested at Gethsemane.* We do not know everything that was eaten at the Last Supper but we know for sure of two things – Bread & Wine. We also know that there were bowls on the table that contained something into which one would dip bread, but there is no mention of what the something was. I would like to think that it was olive oil, but it might have been Garum (a fermented fish sauce) or it may have been some sort of a Hummus.
In the moments of the last supper Jesus and his soon-to-be betrayer, Judas, eat together one last time. It is then that Jesus reveals to his disciples that he will be betrayed by one of them. When pressed for the identity of the betrayer Jesus answered, “it is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” [John 13:26]. At that moment, Jesus and Judas, betrayer and betrayed, were companions in the truest sense of the word.
Need This
Good crusty dense bread – like a Panel or a Ciabatta
Olive oil – preferably Extra Virgin
1 garlic clove
Salt
Do This
Cut the garlic clove in half and rub the cut side all over the inside of a shallow glass bowl. Pour several glugs of olive oil into the bowl then sprinkle a little salt over it.
Slice the bread into bite sized pieces. Dredge the bread pieces in the olive oil and enjoy. No Double Dipping!!!
*The name Gethsemane means “Oil Press” in Aramaic which suggests that olive oil was
produced there. Gethsemane is also known alternately as The Mount of Olives. GMN