In the food world terms like organic, free range, farm to table, locally sourced and the like are buzz words that seem to be what many people want these days. Then there are others who struggle to put food on their tables and they have to get it where they can at a price they can afford. So many people in the world go hungry and do what they have to do to put food on their table.
This morning at church my Sunday school/small group were talking about that today after watching a video that discussed about how in many areas there are two food communities where you have people who have it and those who struggle. In many places of faith they offer a food pantry to those who are in need. Some people are limited to what they can have because of how much they make. Before you share your faith some folks need to have basic needs taken care of and food is one of them.
Food is a spiritual thing. In the Christian faith bread and wine are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Spiritual food does much to keep us sustained through the times of famine and struggle. Communion is about connecting with Jesus and others.
Many other faith traditions embrace food as a way to bring people together. It’s something that they use to observe their faith. For example the Seder at Passover and eating after fasting during Ramadan. Wine is also used to bring couples together during wedding ceremonies. Food is important to begin the building of community at a potluck dinner.
The key thing about food is that everyone needs it to sustain their lives. It’s also a spiritual connection to one’s higher power and to others in your faith tradition. No one should ever go hungry and the creator made not only us but the food to keep us alive, kicking and praying.
There is a bill waiting to be signed by the governor in the state of Tennessee making The Bible the official state book. You would think I would be for this being a follower of Christ but I am not. This is just plain wrong. Using the Holy Texts of one faith tradition as a cheap way to get political points from ones base of supporters is prejudiced and is borderline theocratic. We live in a country made up of people from all faiths, creeds and culture. To elevate just one faith’s holy book is short sighted and does not speak to being good neighbors. The whole thing is about pandering and posturing and picking up political points with ones constituents. My country is founded in part on the notion of a separation of church and state.
On this Easter weekend I am thinking about what I am called to do as a follower of Jesus. To me the most important thing I can do is love thy neighbor as myself. There are so many people who display their faith in such a proud and boastful way. I don’t think that is what Christ had in mind. As a believer I am told to pray in solitude and to fast without letting others know I am doing it.
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