Breaking Bread, Building Bonds

When one thinks of holy spaces, the most prominent image is typically a grand church or a majestic landscape. However, I find the Lord makes His presence known at a joyful family dinner table in an especially notable way. It does not matter who the family is. It can be one’s actual family, roommates, friends, or even total strangers. Specifically, the act of preparing a meal and sharing it with those around you is emblematic of the ministry of Christ. 

Throughout the semester, my roommates and I have had family dinner every Sunday. One person signs up to gather the ingredients, prepare the meal, pair it with a drink, and invite a few other friends. Also, as Thanksgiving approaches, many will be diligently preparing to host a full meal with family and friends. Each stage of the dinner process, from gathering ingredients to sharing the meal itself, is steeped in the hospitality and intentionality of Christ’s mission.

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First, one must consider what to cook. Typically, one thinks of what can be easily made and then asks the other roommates if they would enjoy it. Already, the Holy Spirit is present. The best dinners come from thinking, “How can I use my gifts to benefit my friends?” God’s glory can be seen even in the preparation. Just as Christ meticulously planned for the Passover meal to be ready for his disciples to share with him, we plan how to make a meal worthy of our friends. 

Next, the act of cooking itself is an exemplary act of service. One spends time and energy diligently following a recipe, making sure everything is cooked to perfection, and trying to stop the smoke alarm from going off. The love of Christ must be motivated to action. It is one thing to say “you are my friends,” but it is more significant if you wash your friend’s feet. The act of cooking is like the foot-washing, a humble act of service aimed at portraying the love one has for friends. 

Preparing a full meal can easily become stressful. Many Thanksgivings can become a shouting match. We see the worry of hosting illustrated in the house of Martha and Mary. Martha may be working, yet she is working from a place of anxiety. It is best to be attentive to Christ and remember to see the Gospel in one’s work. With this view, while cooking I am less worried about kitchen timers and more focused on the bonds of those who share the meal. 

Finally, there is the dinner itself. The chef can finally enjoy the fruits of his labor. However, the meal is not ready until it is blessed. This prayer is where God’s presence is most tangibly experienced. The food on the table is a gift, a gift from God’s bounty. Therefore, it is only fair to offer the meal back to God. By blessing the meal, the Creator and creation are linked. 

There is a reason why Christ instituted His real presence in the form of a meal. If God is going to become immediately present, it is best to do it in an intuitive way. Intimate connections are made through food in all cultures. While we often focus on how meals connect people, we often neglect to consider how meals connect people to God. When cooking for friends or family, you share a piece of yourself. The recipe may be tied to a memory; maybe this was your first time cooking, and it was quite a struggle. Regardless, there is more than just food on that plate. 

The community meal is especially significant in a Catholic culture. As the poet Hilaire Belloc penned, “Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine, there’s always laughter and good red wine.” It is a common stereotype to see Catholics as strict objectors to the very concept of fun. For many, an emphasis on fasting has caused neglect for feasting. However, without feasting, fasting is meaningless. Catholics are penitential and mournful, but also jovial and exultant. It brings me great joy to know that there are many saints in the church, most of whom have a feast day. If you are ever looking for a time to break bread, it can be fruitful to tie it to the honor of a holy person. However the meal is shared, the family table can, and should, be a holy space.

Featured image: Hip! Hip! Hurrah! by Peder Severin Krøyer (1888)

Patrick Stallwood
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