‘You are what you eat’ has become a popular catchphrase as we become increasingly worried about obesity in the western world. Fast food and fast lives have become part of our culture as we attempt to keep up with the demands of our busy lifestyles.

In response, a whole new movement has emerged. ‘Slow food’. The focus is not so much on the food as on the pleasure of eating. One of the chief pleasures is, of course, the company. We eat, as Jesus ate to enjoy the company of others, and we need time to do this. Modern wisdom and ancient wisdom agree here that food has always had an important social function. In the Middle East, the sharing of food is part of a culture of hospitality and human dignity.

This is the thought behind Jesus' words:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you eat or drink, or about your body, what you wear”. Matt 6:25.

Pieter Bruegel painting the Peasant Wedding, 1567, celebrates not just the social function of food but brings dignity to the ordinary lives of everyday people and the simple food they eat. The food and drink are made from the produce they harvest. The Beer is made from Barley and the broth from Oats but here it is transformed into a sacramental meal in celebration of a wedding.

We can see the Bride, centre stage in front of a green drape. She is not eating or talking but sitting modestly under her bridal crown, waiting for the bridegroom to arrive at nightfall. This was the custom in Flanders at the time, and as we can see through the doorway there is still sunlight coming through the door, so she waits patiently.

This is a community event with all strata of society present. To the far right is the Landowner, dressed in a rich black velvet outfit, talking to a Franciscan friar who will be present to bless the marriage. To his left is the Notary, sitting on a high-backed chair who will witness the wedding. All around them are the peasant labourers who have produced this simple feast enjoying a rare moment of joy in their hard lives.

The Peasant wedding recalls the many meals that Jesus enjoyed together with the rich and poor. It is probable that Bruegal has in mind the Wedding in Cana and the transformation of water into wine, every day turned into an occasion for celebration, and poverty turned into riches.

Eating, drinking, and clothing have important social functions that set us apart from animals. We are made for more than just eating, drinking, and keeping warm!

The command not to worry about these things calls us to consider the purpose of human life which eating drinking and clothing serve. They are symbols of the dignity of human life and serve to enrich our social relationships. These areas of our life should occupy our thoughts because they determine what we are rather than the food we eat or the clothes we wear.

Jesus in fact attaches the highest importance to eating drinking and clothing for they point us to the purpose of life itself. Eating, drinking, and clothing are all used by Jesus as symbols of the Kingdom of God.

‘But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’ Matt 6: 34.

The purpose for which we eat is then to nourish our inner life not just our bodies. The apostle Paul puts it like this:

‘So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’

1 Cor. 10: 31.

As we eat and drink the bread and wine today we remember the purpose for which we were made and the communion which we share with each other and with God through this holy meal. The secret of a worry-free life is to focus on those things that are of lasting value, like friendship and generousity. The things that truly make us what we are.

‘Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?’

Matt 6: 25.

Rev. Simon Brignall

We hold in our prayers those who are experiencing ill health, those awaiting operations, or recovering at home.

Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice

we pray for the people of Ukraine today,

and the laying down of weapons.

we pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,

that your spirit of comfort would draw near to them.

We pray for those with power over war and peace,

for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions

Above all, we pray for all your precious children at risk and in fear,

That you would hold and protect them.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Amen

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