Before a meal

I was fascinated by the sight of a bird ritual-pausing before a meal! It was a long pause before this bird pecked on the ripe papaya. 

Most of us pause before taking the first mouth of food served, to have a moment of silence in gratefulness. 

Both Daphny and Dulcie  would lie prostrate for a moment before they reach out to the feeding bowl. 

Food is more than a physical nutrient for our body. Food is cooked by someone. The ingredients of the food came from different sources prepared by others. Someone has served the food. There is a coming together of people and experiences at a meal time.

Every meal time is a celebration time. It therefore transcends the dimension of taste, calories, and appearance.

Food is a time to remember the gift of givenness. 

Every time a baby cries with hunger a baby is provided for! We grew up receiving all the time. 

Every meal time is therefore a reminder of all the occasions when we have received because of others. This gives us a new orientation to receive food as a symbol of the abundance of all that we are given.

Yesterday, I was served tea by a colleague, unasked for, at a time when I was thirsty.  It is that which awakened me to meditate on the theme of givenness.

What is that we have except what is given !

We can live our lives only in an orientation of gratefulness. 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)