Food, or the want of it, has a major impact on our lives. Meals can mean real communication and even communion of hearts. Eating can bring together in unity a family, a group, or a village. Sharing the same table may often bring an end to dissension, suspicion and resentment. Healing can be palpable. The sharing of memories, of ideals and of hopes can elevate the partaking of food into a joyful celebration for the spirit. Our meals are also eloquent symbols of the Eucharist. It would be a sadness to remain blind to rich symbolism. Only a poor heart could refuse gratitude to the Giver of every good gift and to those who provide and prepare our daily food.
One of the few times that we openly give thanks to God is on occasion of celebration meals. We use words of sacred memories that echo in the heart. The brief prayer can restore the spiritual significance to the nourishment we share. As we thank God for our life we must surely thank Him for all that sustains it.
The Scripture unfolds the marvels of creation and how we survive by eating what the good earth can give to us. Desert journeys could know famine, disease and death. The manna still has much to teach us. Our meals carry a resurrection message if we reflect on the Messianic feast, foretold by Isaiah and fulfilled by Christ (Isaiah 25): "On this mountain the Lord of Hosts will prepare a banquet of special food with fine wine for all the people .. . He will destroy death forever." Though many outward signs of faith have vanished from our culture, Paul Claudel retained the vision: "I saved my wheat, I reaped it. In this bread, made by me, all my children received communion" (L'Annonce a Marie).
We open our Eastertide Scripture: "Last of all, Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples as they were eating .. . " (Mark 16). The Eammaus journey ends with a meal and with Eucharist and with faith restored. Later that day, as the two disciples told their experience, Jesus appeared again: "Have you anything to eat?" He shared cooked fish with them (Luke 24). After their futile night's fishing, Christ appeared by the lake. He had a charcoal fire, and some fish and bread prepared. As the sun came up he gave the love-filled invitation, "Come and eat!" Only then did Jesus offer to Peter the welcome opportunity to reject his betrayal, to express his love, and to receive, in all fullness, his Good Shepherd calling.
As food restores our bodies, we ask for renewal of the Spirit. We listen to our Teacher: "Not by bread alone do you live but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4). "My food is to do the Will of Him who sent me" (John 4).
As we thank God for our daily food may we walk in His Way dignified and joyful, free and faithful in the Lord, ever ready to share with all in hunger or in need. F.MacN.