What you eat and how you eat varies in every culture. When Christopher and I were in Italy this summer, we learned that in a very real way. Christopher is a very picky eater, so it was difficult to find things he liked. Luckily, in most of the places we toured, there were pizza places (hey, it’s Italy, after all) for lunch and a McDonald’s for dinner. However, we mentioned that to the tour guide one day and she told us that McDonald’s is something most Italians will not eat. It’s there for the tourists and the “foreigners” who live in the locations. The locals won’t eat it because it’s not healthy and it’s too fast. A meal in Italy, particularly the main meal of the day, is an event. Our evening meals lasted at least an hour and a half, sometimes up to two and a half hours. Dinner started with pasta—that was the appetizer, and for me, that would have been enough. But then you would have salad, then the main course, and of course dessert. Thankfully, we walked a lot while on our trip, so I didn’t gain weight from all the rich, wonderful food (I actually lost weight).
I’ve become aware since coming home how quickly we eat here in the U.S. If dinner lasts a half hour, it’s a long dinner. Much of our food comes pre-packaged for a fast lane lifestyle. And we rarely all gather around the table to share a meal. We simply don’t have time (we don’t make time) for a long, family meal. Much of the time, we grab something as we go through the drive-through headed to the next activity.
So I’ve been trying to change my habits. Eat at home more. Slow down when I eat...not to the length of two hours, but at least so that I’m not hurrying and running away from the table before the meal begins. Sitting down at the table as often as possible with those I love. Enjoying cooking something rather than opening a box. And seeking to only take what I will eat, not wasting food.
This coming Sunday is World Communion Sunday, and for Christians, this is the family meal. It’s the time when Christians around the world gather at the Lord’s Table where Jesus is the host, where he has prepared the meal and is serving it to us. It’s a Sunday where we are not only mindful of our unity as believers in Jesus, no matter our culture or our language, but also we are mindful of those who do not have enough to eat themselves. We remember those who go without at their dinner table from night to night—and not only those people in Africa that your mother threatened to send your leftovers to, but even those around the block who do not have enough. One of the dreams we have had for several years is being able to feed children who come from “food insufficient households,” which is a PC way of saying they don’t get food if they don’t get it at school. So we’ve partnered with the Northwest Indiana Food Bank to work in one school this year (more to come!) and feed 30 children over the weekend. Those children will be in our prayers and thoughts this Sunday, as well the millions of others who go without. As we gather at the table, whether our dinner table or the communion table, let us be mindful of the ones God has called us to reach with the compassion of Jesus, until all are fed and all have enough.