Filling the Hungry with Good Things

I don't use this space much to write about religion or politics, that's not my gig. Others do a much better job of that then me. With that disclaimer, I've been thinking about some things that touch on both of these topics.

Last Sunday night we attended a Christmas Eve service at our church. The scripture reading was Luke's account of the birth of Christ. A few words Luke attributes to Mary caught my attention. Here they are from Luke 1:51b - 53:

God has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. God has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

Our images of Mary are usually not that of a revolutionist but this is revolutionary stuff. She's talking about a social and economic upheaval. Like mother, like son.

As a food writer, the phrase "filled the hungry with good things" really caught my attention. It's the "good things" that really stuck out. Mary sees God as being not only concerned with feeding the poor, but with feeding them with GOOD things. That's the part that I had never seen before.

For those of us who call ourselves Christians, especially those of us who also have a passion for food, what are we to make of that? Sure a lot of churches dabble in the whole "feeding the needy" thing but shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries I know tend to rely on the donations of over-processes, sodium-laden, white-bread, crap that possesses minimal, at best, nutritional value. I know that some food is better than no food but are these GOOD things?

Where does the church fit into issues like nutrition, obesity, the availability of an affordable and sustainable local food supply? What can we do to not just feed the hungry but to make sure they are being fed with good things? If you've got some interest in these kinds of issues, you might want to stop by my buddy Will's blog.

As a family we volunteer some time at a "free restaurant" in our community - the Shalom House. The last time I cooked there I was reaching for the giant economy-sized jar of nearly-tasteless dried herbs on the shelf. I mentioned to one of the organizers, "you guys ought to plant some herbs out back this spring." "Why don't you do that for us," was her response. Ouch, I'm not sure why my immediate thought was that someone else should do it. Why not me? So, Lisa, the boys, and I will putting an herb garden in there this spring. Not exactly a revolution, but its a start. I think fresh herbs are certainly a good thing.

Any other ideas? If this is of interest to you share some thoughts about filling the hungry with good things. 

Comments

[Will]

Absolutely brilliant. Thanks for this, Scott.

[Mike]

Ditto here, Scott.

I've been doing some thinking about a "theology of giving". The reality is we're happy to give away crap because it doesn't really cost us anything. (I do my best thinking on the subject when I'm driving around picking up stuff that people want to "donate" to our ministry... or throw out.) It's perfect - we get rid of our garbage AND get to feel good about giving. I know you're talking about food here, but I think there are ties.

When will we understand that giving is supposed to cost us something?

[ben]

I'm reminded of the Israelites wandering in the desert. God gave them enough mana for that day. If they tried to save it, it spoiled. We really don't think about it, but food is a good analogy for our spiritual lives. "Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you."