By Sharon Wilson

 

 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God,
“the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” ~ Rev. 1:8

 

I love food and the biggest food holiday of the year is just a few days away. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks but let’s be honest – it is about eating!

We all have our favorites. It might be the turkey or stuffing, or maybe you are a cranberry sauce lover. Whatever it is, it seems the holiday would not be the holiday without that one special food.

This focus on food may seem gluttonous, but it seems to me that food is not only just food. I read a quote in a book by Molly Wizenberg. In it, she says: “When I walk into my kitchen today, I am not alone. Whether we know it or not, none of us is. We bring fathers and mothers and kitchen tables, and every meal we have ever eaten. Food is never just food. It’s also a way of getting at something else: who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be.”

Jesus knew the connection between feeding our bodies physically and feeding us spiritually. The bible refers to food 1,207 times! Parables refer to yeast and the growing of grain, the splendor of the afterlife is the heavenly banquet, and we receive Christ in the form of bread and wine. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we are there at the Last Supper with Christ himself.  

It is not just the food; it is the connection from one generation to the next. It is the connection of us with our past, present, and the future. The Eucharist is that. When I receive communion. I am sharing in the Holy Mass with everyone around the world who has ever received the Eucharist. I am there with my Mom and Dad, who have passed away many years ago.

This year when you share your turkey, stuffing, and cranberries—give thanks for your glorious meal and our share in the Eucharistic meal. In addition, remember all those who have gone before you and those who will come after you. Rejoice that they are with you. In memory, tradition, in your favorite recipes, and in Christ.


Prayer

Bless us, O Lord,
and these, thy gifts,
which we are about to receive through thy bounty,
through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Call to Action

We often say our grace before meals quickly so we can dive into our plates, take some time to say it slowly, and reflect on the words.

 

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