Food. I have been focused a lot on this lately, for two entirely different reasons.
As I write this, my list of acceptable food is quite small. All of that has to do with medical reasons. As a Type 1 diabetic, many foods, especially the prepared ones, are off limits. Too much fat and/or sugar. As a survivor of colon cancer, other foods and their preparations are off limits. Anything spicy has very negative consequences on my system. So, when we held a family supper after our nephew Michael's funeral, my sister-in-law was overjoyed for me to make an acceptable meal out of some plain, cooked hamburger. At our chili lunch after our Cowboy Church Sunday here at OSLC, I found food I could eat and then supplemented it with other protein. This is my new way of dealing with food. It is hard when you have to eat to live and food is the enemy.
Food also is a weapon. We have any number of examples of those in power, or wanting to be in power, withholding food shipments sent to their territories and countries. Haiti is a current example of this. It is also becoming a matter of concern here. Foodbanks are running out of supplies as more and more people are unable to have food security because of rising prices. And this is where we hear Jesus call us to step up as we are able.
The story that is most told is when Jesus fed over 5,000 people. It is in all 4 gospels. Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9 and John 6. They even had leftovers. We share what we have. And when people are left out, the need is immediately addressed. Acts 6 tells of the church solution to this problem. It is part of the pattern of giving that Jesus encouraged in Luke 6:37 and 38. We are encouraged to give, even if it is a little. We waste so much food. Here in Edmonton, we are addressing this by composting much of our food waste and recycling other food that is still edible by our grocery stores giving food to people like those who run our Foodshare program.
I will leave you with this example. A man living by himself north of 107 Ave just off 97 St. met a person begging. Instead of just giving him money, he took the man into a burger joint and bought him a burger, fries and a small drink. This was his first hot meal in over a month.
We share how, when and where we can. But especially around food. Now who will you get to share your food with this week? Pr. Scott
