Monday, May 10, 2010

Food

Food.

We all must have it to survive. 

Those of us who enjoy ready access to it don't give it a second thought most of the time.  Because of the richness of our blessing, we often miss the significance and power of food.

Food acts as an organizing force for social action. 

Families and friends gather around tables every day to share meals.  Along wtih meals come plans for and reports on the day, ideas, dreams, fears, confessions and actions. 

Food levels us.  Since every single one of us must have it, we must admit that our connection is communal, viseral, organic and universal. 

Evil people use food as a weapon. 

Loving people use it to create ordinary forums for celebration and discovery. 

Food determines health. 

Food affects learning.

Food is all about togetherness, hope and being human.

Food anchors us to the earth.

Food draws out celebration. . .it is the stuff of parties, wakes and home-goings, committee meetings, community organizing gatherings and late-nite, bedtime snacks.

Have you noticed?  Food facilitates conversation, connection and communion.

Consider the place of "the meal" in Christianity, Judaism and Islam--central, reoccurring and defining.

Food is about hard work, growth and the promise of another day.

Food seems to track right along with fellowship. 

Food makes children laugh and run and play. 

The lack of food makes the same children cry and sit and wonder.

Sharing, providing, distributing, manufacturing, growing, harvesting, selling, gathering and eating food nudges up against the Sacred. 

Think about it when you enjoy your next meal. 

Food--not something to take lightly or for granted.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Yes. Something so central to our existence, that is currently suffering an identity crisis. Let's reimagine the place of the meal in our community.

Unknown said...

Larry, very well written and thought provoking. Jesus used food as a tool in teaching on several occasions, including the last supper. Research today shows that a family that eats at least one meal together per day has a dramatic positive impact on the children, especially if the father is present.

Speaking of eating together, I hope you got my 2 voice mails and Tricia's FB message re: my need to miss our scheduled breakfast on April 20. I stayed in TN until after my mother's funeral. I would love for us to reschedule. As of now, the only open mornings I have M-F are in June. What does that first week in June look like for you? Let me know. Best wishes and keep up the great work.

Daniel said...

Our small group was reading Luke 14 last night. Someone brought up the ancient importance of meals, and asked how our group should find alternative ways to honor Jesus' invitation to the poor at our "banquets". I kind of think we should still be engaging the idea of "class-less" meals as a primary method to break down barriers.

So I second Jordan's lament about our food indentity crisis.

P.S. The food poll should have checkboxes -- hard to single out just one choice.

Anonymous said...

Regarding school lunches, now there are free breakfasts in addition to lunch and I understand some states are offering dinner also. Soon parents will be unnecessary. Incidentally, what do parents eat?

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:39:

I am confused as to the point of your comment. Are you suggesting that feeding children whose parents are unable or unwilling to provide for them is bad? I doubt that kids who are eating any of these meals are missing out on much 'quality time' with their parents. It takes about 15 minutes for a kid to eat.

Anonymous said...

The comment reads loud and clear to me - no confusion at all. School lunch has been expanded to cover all non lunch meals. And while we're at it, maybe we should send groceries home to the rest of the family. But then, what is a family, really? It's just a group of people that love one another. So let's send food home to the community. We can feed them all - all in the name of education.

Anonymous said...

So I did not misunderstand your point: feeding hungry kids is a bad thing ... and is anti-family. Wow! Really?! That's one compassionate stance!

Anonymous said...

I knew you'd misunderstand it. It's just not Che.

Unknown said...

Well, I believe you just made an excellent point. You certainly fully understand what you are speaking about, and I can truly get behind that. Thanks for staying so upfront and so sincere.


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