November Practice: Sacred Meal

Beloved Imago. The holiday season is upon us. Let us take this month to focus on an everyday occurrence. Meals. {And this month, perhaps for you, the big Thanksgiving meal.} Simple touch points during the upcoming busy season can hopefully point us to the deeper presence of the Spirit in all of us.

How often do we really pay attention to our meals? We prepare them or buy them, of course. But when you sit down to eat (or not, depending on how busy we are) how much thought do you put into the act? This month, let’s try to focus on our meals, our physical act of sustainment.

There is no special way to do this. I will offer some ideas, some quotes and questions, and, ultimately, challenge you to slow down and BE while you are eating.

“What are the most spiritually significant things you’ve done this past week? If you’re like many Christians, your list consists of things like praying, reading the Bible, serving in the church, sharing the gospel with a friend, or listening to a sermon on the radio. All of those are great things.

But what probably won’t be on your list is eating.

It’s not that you haven’t eaten. That’s not the issue. The issue is that you don’t see your eating as a spiritual activity. It’s just what you have to do to not be hungry.

But you don’t have to be a Bible scholar to see that the Scriptures present eating as a pretty big deal to God. And therefore it should be a big deal to us.

When the Israelites escaped from Egypt, what did they do? They instituted a meal that would be observed annually. When the prophets spoke of the coming kingdom, how did they describe it? As a feast of rich food and aged wine. On the final night of his earthly life, what did Jesus do? He shared a meal with his disciples. When the early church gathered, what was one of their core activities? The breaking of bread. And these examples hardly scratch the surface of what the Bible has to say.

God knows that we have to eat. He created our bodies such that they require it. But he’s a generous and joyful God, so he allows this necessary part of our lives to also be a delightful occasion for sharing with loved ones, welcoming friends, building community, and celebrating God’s provision. He renews us physically and spiritually through the meals we enjoy.” ~Drew Humphrey

In reading through the above quote, what was stirred in you about your meals lately? Do you remember a meal you shared in the past that holds a special place in your heart? What about that meal was special? Is there a way to recreate something similar in your world today?

When we actually eat, do we rush through it or do we linger? Do we taste our food? Do we remember that our food is a gift? What has our relationship to food been like lately? Why is that?

What kinds of slowing down could you incorporate into your meals this month? Praying beforehand? Talking to God as you prepare the food? Inviting someone over to share a meal with you? Deciding to chew each bite slowly? Choosing to sit at the table once the meal is done instead of rushing off to clean up? Maybe you could even have a couple of questions for the table you share with others? {A favorite in my house is to say a good thing and a hard thing about our day.}

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 reminds us: “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”

Imago, as we hopefully linger over our meals a little more this month, may you find a sweet presence there, a reconnection to your body and to the Divine.

There is no right or wrong way to enter this practice, friends. The only goal is the returning to God in all things. May you slow down and remain more fully in God’s presence this month, Imago. Especially as you eat what he has given you. Amen.

Kids’ Version

This month, let’s focus on our meals, friends! I have a simple way for you to try to slow down when you are enjoying your food this month. It’s not fancy and you can do as much or as little as makes sense for where you are at :)

When you sit down to eat, first think of who made the food. Thank God for them. Then dig in :)

Next, as you are eating, decide which part of the meal is the best (remember, not every meal can be our favorites all the time - but some part of the meal is good! Which part?). Thank God for giving you the ability to taste! Think of how boring it would be if everything tasted the same...yuck.

Now, as you are eating, don’t go too fast! Talk to the people around you. Take the time during your meal to get to know more about them. Ask them which foods they like. Tell them which ones you like. Be glad for the shared activity of eating together :) Enjoy their presence!

Finally, as you are finishing up, thank God for helping you be present to your meal and those around you. Help your grownup clear the table as a way to say thanks for how they help you.

I hope this month brings you lots of good food and fun at your kitchen/dining room table!