What I Love about the Church of Christ: Food

Food binds us together. Potlucks are some of my favorite early childhood memories. Home cooked foods was always a welcoming relief after sitting still for an hour. At that age, I could easily have put away 4 plates of food. I think my record was 7. I remember getting into trouble when I was 4 and said I had finished all my food, and was ready for dessert, only for mom to check the trash can near the kids’ table. 

The Future Preacher’s Training Camp Program at Bear Valley Church of Christ in Denver was a buffet of everything a teenage boy would want. Corn dogs, hot dogs, tacos, cheeseburgers, pizza, spaghetti, the whole nine yards. That week of summer camp had its own liturgical soul. Breakfast was soon after morning prayer, lunch after a few hours of lecture, and dinner after time in the library and park. The ladies who did the cooking always made sure we had plenty of snacks in the evening too. I’ll always be appreciative of those ladies, with Meda King and Kathy Pollard in particular standing out in my mind. 

St. Laurence O’ Toole is in many ways very close in kinship in regard to food. Fr. Dominic loves to serve his flock by always ensuring everyone has a full plate. He actively encourages those who are less socially active to participate and enjoy grub and company. They also have a food fund and have parishioners who serve at food banks around town. 

We find in Scripture Jesus consistently dined with his disciples and strangers. Food is not only a gift, it’s something God enjoys engaging with us in. Jesus implies a feast in Heaven, if taken to be literal, means we will be breaking bread all the same above. We know Jesus, upon His resurrection, had physical flesh. And we too will have perfected flesh in Heaven. Flesh naturally capable of consuming food for joy and fellowship. 

Discovering the Catholic Church is much like finding out the food you enjoy is merely a small part of a much larger course. Both the Church of Christ and Catholic Church offer food for your body, but the Catholic Church alone has the eternal Bread. Jesus tells us in John 6 we must eat his flesh, and we do this in Catholic service every day around the world. His flesh becomes part of our flesh, which strengthens us for the journey through the desert of our lifetime in this world.