We must appreciate food God gives us for body, soul

By Father Leo E. Patalinghug
Special to Arkansas Catholic

The commands given by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper continues God’s saving plan for humanity, reminiscent of the instruction God gave to Adam and Eve: “Take, eat, drink and remember … to eat the blessed fruit, not the forbidden!”

For God, eating is a part of a person’s prayer. Food is the instrument of grace. Consider the Eucharist and all it signifies. Vertically speaking, proper bread and wine establish a covenant between God and man, while horizontally providing a place at the Lord’s Table with others.

These ideas outline the basics of something I’m developing, called the “theology of food.” As the host and creator of the worldwide movement, Grace Before Meals, I’ve had the privilege to see the power of food and how it strengthens relationships and comforts the soul.

On every level of logic — biological, psychological, sociological and theological — food is omnipotent. Food determines health: The aroma of apple pie brings to mind homey comforts and a turkey dinner peacefully unites a nation — at least for one day. The Eucharist accomplishes all that, in one bite.

Perhaps the failure to appreciate the Eucharist begins with a lack of understanding God’s involvement in every aspect of a morsel, i.e., the theology of food. From farmers praying for rain, the sacrifice of livestock, the laborers of the land, the serenity of bread makers, the patience of fishermen, persevering home cooks and restaurants that help people celebrate — God is there.

A theology of food reminds us that before Jesus instituted the Eucharist, his Father simply gave us food to remember him. Scriptural food references (Passover, milk and honey, water to wine, loaves and fishes, heaven as a banquet) point to the Eucharist and vice versa. This is witnessed in those who feed the poor and by uncomplaining parents working to provide the daily bread.

However, fast-paced modern minds treat the Eucharist as fast food. Feast days and fast days go as unappreciated leftovers. The divine is deleted from dining. We don’t say “grace” or “thanks” and thus harvest spoiled, mannerless children, constantly hungry for the wrong things. We take, eat and drink but forget God manifested in food — sacred and secular.

But there is a remedy to eating the forbidden fruit — eat the blessed fruit from Mary’s womb! A godly approach to meals reminds families that praying together at Mass should extend to the communion of the family dinner table, an “altar” for the “domestic Church” — Vatican II’s description for the family.

God’s power can’t be limited, but begins when receiving holy Communion. Have we forgotten that we become what we eat? We need awareness that our broken nature has subconscious appetites to eat junk and therefore, we must intentionally seek medicinal bitter herbs of truth through confession before Communion.

Christ says we are “salt of the earth,” so let’s approach Mass not looking as bored children forced to eat vegetables. To help make stronger connections to food and faith, meditate before the perfect food by adoration of the Eucharist.

Jesus Christ, the ultimate “foodie,” was born and placed in a manger, a word Italians use: “mangiare,” or “Eat!” That’s what our loving Father does. God feeds us. He has always done that. He offers the best of food. Hopefully, we obey the command to take, eat, drink and remember.

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