The Grace of Eating & Feasting

Do kids say 'Thank you' (grace) before meals nowadays?! These 2 children's examples made me think about the purpose of saying grace, or pronouncing a blessing before eating. 

The bowl of cherries in the 1st picture came from a community project distributing food during this time of lockdown: community thoughtfulness and sharing that found its way to my door. Each time I see them, and the other items, I'm reminded I am a member of a community that cares.

Gratitude for food covers every culture; I learned that Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Tradition bless and give thanks both before and after their meals. That The Jewish faith has a blessing for different food groups: grain; bread; fruit of the vine etc. Hindus, Buddhists, Zen, Native American tribes - all have their own format for blessing food; being in gratitude for its provision, and sharing it with others. 

        

A couple of years ago I read a book about gratitude written as a project by a journalist; she'd been recommended to pause with mindfulness before eating anything - even a 'quick snack' on the way to an assignment. Difficult to begin with, a little irksome, even, but it played its part in the bigger picture of being appreciative for those things she had so often taken for granted.  

Taking a moment before eating may be a difficult practice to adopt, but I am sure it has many benefits that we unknowingly deprive ourselves of - daily. A malnutrition of gratitude! In those moments, some thought can be given to how the food got onto the plate - the source; supplier; merchant; marketing; delivery; utilities involved.....

I thought back to my time in Georgia, famed for its 'supras', feasts at which a 'tamada', or toastmaster, begins each feast with recognition of God's favour, bringing food to the table, to share with others; followed, throughout, with blessings & toasts that would likely include a homage to 'the lost ones': 'To the memory of those who have left us. May they never have any lack of candlelight'; and a toast to Life and Children who keep the flame burning. 

These toasts are way-stations - places where all those gathered around the table, collectively pause and give thanks. I don't think I experienced any meal there that wasn't a Feast. Which led me to the over-eater's prayer:

What is food for? That pause before beginning can take in - digest - the purpose of what's about to go down....

A friend once told me it's helpful, when approaching the 'fridge, to HALT & ask: is this:

Hunger?

Anger?

Loneliness?

Tiredness?

You could make up your own version to suit.

Maybe, if one could really stabilize the reasons for eating, there's more scope to actually enjoying it without guilt or a 'hangover' afterwards. May this be so!