Feeding, Being Fed
“The question of bread for myself is a material question, but the question of bread for my neighbor is a spiritual question.”—Nikolai Berdyaev.
Certainly, Jesus gives us continued examples of his feeding thousands as well as going to eat at the home of others, often with the most despised such as Zacchaeus and Matthew, tax collectors. Jesus, a role model in this, feeds others and lets others feed him. For Christians, Jesus leaves us with another meal, the Eucharist of bread and wine, a sacrament reminding us of his care and bringing his presence to us.
When I am having difficulty with someone, I imagine us together at the altar rail, kneeling, if possible, to receive the bread and the wine of the Eucharist. Jesus is with us. After kneeling together, I see the person in a different light. Sometimes I can see the Christ within him or her.
I have given up trying to understand why eating a meal with someone else can help us develop a relationship faster than spending hours talking to that person. As we are being fed, we see the person more clearly. Often we can carry on a deeper conversation when food is present. It is almost as if the food is a natural ice breaker.
I remember when, in my medical practice, I worked with nine other physicians. Each of them had unique gifts and were advocates for distinct parts of our practice. Each person wanted his or her area to be funded and fully staffed.
One day we decided to have lunch together once a week to try to work through difficult issues. The situation changed almost overnight. We began to see each other’s needs as they related to our many areas of interest. We prioritized what was really most important for the patients we were caring for, instead of focusing on our own needs. Some of us even became lifelong friends!
Joanna joannaseibert.com