Paul and his traveling companions have been floundering at sea for over two weeks.
Everyone is tired, stressed, and anxious.
But Paul is at ease. He is at ease because he knows that God is with them. The knowledge and experience of God’s presence gives him peace and with that peace he encourages everyone else on the ship.
He does this by inviting them, in the midst of the storm-tossed sea, to pause and give thanks to God for the food they have to eat.
While it was not a full celebration of communion it is reminiscent of the way Jesus would take bread, give thanks, break bread, and share it with the masses.
