Being the odd thinker that I am, the question of food as celebration comes to mind. Why do we, when we celebrate something, use food as the focal point? Especially in light of the way that food is handled and addressed, historically, within the Orthodox church.
It is also interesting to note that when the church has an official feast day, that feast does not include a huge, fancy meal. Instead it centers around the Eucharist in the Divine Liturgy. Yes, food, but not gluttony.
Much of this difference in approach comes from the foundation of religious belief. It seems that the Protestant work ethic and the fruit of that approach results in a "material blessing as proof of good work and godly blessing." The Orthodox mindset, to the contrary, the focus is on, yes, we work hard, but the fruit of that blessing is not more stuff for us to enjoy and be comforted by, but instead gives us more opportunity to care for the poor.
With these contrasting worldviews in mind, the differing approach to food is seen. If simple material blessing (including successful crops) is seen as indicative of God's blessing, then it makes perfect sense to celebrate that blessing by enjoying the fruit. But if, as the Orthodox worldview would teach, the focus of the Christian should be on personal holiness and loving neighbor, then no matter the situation, either abundant temporal success or extreme poverty, the Christian can celebrate (be thankful for) that situation, and does so by celebrating the only reason for that situation, that is, the death and resurrection of Christ.
So, i'll ask the question. What does the way we handle food say about our beliefs? Do we, practically speaking, put our focus on temporal blessing or on the death and resurrection of Christ? Do we look forward to an eternity in the blessed presence of God, or are we distracted by the many temporal comforts that surround us every day?
And don't say both. Because, as Jesus said, one cannot serve both God and mammon.
It is also interesting to note that when the church has an official feast day, that feast does not include a huge, fancy meal. Instead it centers around the Eucharist in the Divine Liturgy. Yes, food, but not gluttony.
Much of this difference in approach comes from the foundation of religious belief. It seems that the Protestant work ethic and the fruit of that approach results in a "material blessing as proof of good work and godly blessing." The Orthodox mindset, to the contrary, the focus is on, yes, we work hard, but the fruit of that blessing is not more stuff for us to enjoy and be comforted by, but instead gives us more opportunity to care for the poor.
With these contrasting worldviews in mind, the differing approach to food is seen. If simple material blessing (including successful crops) is seen as indicative of God's blessing, then it makes perfect sense to celebrate that blessing by enjoying the fruit. But if, as the Orthodox worldview would teach, the focus of the Christian should be on personal holiness and loving neighbor, then no matter the situation, either abundant temporal success or extreme poverty, the Christian can celebrate (be thankful for) that situation, and does so by celebrating the only reason for that situation, that is, the death and resurrection of Christ.
So, i'll ask the question. What does the way we handle food say about our beliefs? Do we, practically speaking, put our focus on temporal blessing or on the death and resurrection of Christ? Do we look forward to an eternity in the blessed presence of God, or are we distracted by the many temporal comforts that surround us every day?
And don't say both. Because, as Jesus said, one cannot serve both God and mammon.
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