^{Spiritual Enrichment –A Hunger for God Mar 05}

Prayer

Lord, bless the food and drink of these Thy servants, for You are holy, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Inspiration Many of us raised in the Greek culture understand that having company or parea is more than just a get-together—it’s almost a rite—with as many people as the house can hold; the almost formal procession of the roast lamb and pastitso from the kitchen to the dining table, and the blessing of the meal before everyone feasts, laughing and lingering together at the table. And we certainly appear to have integrated these hospitality and food traditions into our parish life in the form of fabulous food festivals that are well known throughout our local communities. Most observers assume that it is the “Greek” influence that brings this attention to feasting. But perhaps it is not so much the Greek in our midst which influences the “meal” orientation of our churches, but the sacramental nature of Orthodox Christianity which has influenced the Greek and other cultures that have embraced it. In the theology of the Church, human beings are properly understood as sacramental beings with a strong desire to share and participate “in fellowship” with God and with one another. Taking food, blessing it as recognition that it comes as a gift from God, and sharing it, was and still is an important way to communicate solidarity of heart and mind. This is koinonia a (New Testament word) often translated as either “fellowship” or “communion.”

Meals are prominent throughout Holy Scripture and it is no accident that the story of the fall is centered on food. In the biblical story of creation, man is presented as a hungry being and the whole world is his food as a loving gift from God. Another way to say this is that all that exists in creation is “divine love made food, made life for man.” God blessed everything He created and everything was a sign of His presence. One thing, however, was not blessed and not given--the forbidden tree--and so to partake of it would not be communion with God. Instead, it would be to seek creation as an end in itself rather than as a connection to God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate from the forbidden tree, in essence, they were seeking something other than God. In seeking something other than God, they found death because creation has no life or meaning in itself apart from God.

Throughout the Old Testament and the lengthy process of reuniting humanity with God, meals are featured prominently. In the Old Testament, God’s presence becomes known in feasts, famines and even the basic gift of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the manna from heaven: In the feeding of the five thousand, in the Last Supper and in the post-resurrection encounter with His disciples, Jesus breaks bread and blesses it and distributes it for the sustenance of the world. As perfect God, Jesus is Himself the Bread of Life; as perfect man He becomes the perfect Eucharist.

For those of us who live during the time between the two comings of Christ, it is the Holy Eucharist which allows us to participate now, if only momentarily, in the Great Banquet of the Kingdom of God in paradise. Through the Divine Liturgy we are able to consider the world as God’s gift and to offer the entire world back to God as thanksgiving. The degree in which we take the “ordinary “ gifts of creation (wheat and grapes), bless them and offer them back to God in fellowship, is the degree to which we come closer to the way of life intended for human beings in paradise. So we return to our own dining table and parea with the understanding that it is really part of our “theological heritage” to gather at table with one another in hospitable sharing.

Adapted from: “A Hunger for God” by Eve Tibbs, M.A.T. in The Annual Resource Companion, vol. 4, 2001-02, DRE-GOA

Reflection

Ì Concerning fasting, what is the difference between “what you eat” and “how much you eat”?

Ì Reflect on the feeling of “hunger” and what it is that you hunger for.