How have you “recognized” Jesus more fully in the breaking of bread? How have you experienced the presence of Jesus during communion? How have you experienced the presence of Jesus at other meals? Have you experienced “holy heartburn”? If so, when?
Category: Lent
Day 37 – March 27
Obviously, Jesus is not advocating that his disciples become cannibals or to dine on “leg of Lamb of God”. In the celebration of the Eucharist, we refer to the bread as Jesus’ body and the wine as his blood, but is participation in the Lord’s Supper the only way to “feed on Jesus”? How else might we “eat his flesh and drink his blood”? What does Jesus say are the results of “eating” him? How is the quality of your life different since you’ve “tasted” Christ? Why do you think this is such a “hard saying?”
Day 36 – March 26
Today marks the beginning of Passover, the Jewish celebration of deliverance from slavery in Egypt. What we call “the Lord’s Supper” is actually a Passover Seder where specific foods were served to remind the Jews of their life in bondage, the cost of freedom and the sweetness of the redeemed life. Four cups of wine were drunk—including wine that symbolized the plagues, wine that symbolized the blood of the Lamb painted on the doorposts and wine that symbolized the abundance in the land to which God would lead them. Unleavened bread—matzo—was also eaten several times as a reminder of the quick departure from Egypt—God’s deliverance. All the foods were to help people enter and relive the story of deliverance. At various points in the Seder, Jesus takes the familiar menu items and enriches their meaning. “This is my body. This is my blood.”
How have you experienced deliverance through the life and death of Jesus? What are some other foods that you associate with the story of your faith journey? How could you make the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper more than just a church ritual?
Day 35 – March 25
Can you think of a time that you followed Jesus because you thought you would get material things you needed/wanted? Describe what you think Jesus is referring to as “the food that endures to eternal life.” What do you think is the relationship between physical needs and spiritual needs? What hunger do you have in your life beyond the physical that Jesus can fill?
Day 34 – March 23-24
Leviticus 25:1-7, 18-19; Leviticus 26:15-16, 33-35
Leviticus repeats God’s public policy about not planting the fields every seven years. The emphasis in Leviticus is about letting the land rest. Why do you think “rest” is required? What happens when “rest” is not observed? What does God’s action in Leviticus 26:33-35 tell us about God’s concern for creation? Why do you think people did not observe the command to “rest” the land?
All of our food relies upon a healthy ecosystem—soil rich in nutrients and water (usually in the form of rain). Crop rotation and land rest ensures that the soil remains healthy. This seems very foreign to us where land is dedicated to single crops (mostly corn and soybeans) year after year, and production is “forced” through the never-ending application of chemical fertilizers–chemicals that end up in our food, seep into our groundwater and ultimately destroy the soil. Why do you think we have abandoned the practices prescribed by God? What could you do to observe the Sabbath year?
On Saturday, March 23, people around the world will observe “Earth Hour”. From 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm, lights will be turned off to reduce carbon emissions and highlight the need to protect the earth and our natural resources for future generations. An hour is a great start. What is one thing you could do to maintain a healthy planet beyond “one hour”?
Day 33 – March 22
What tactics do the Midianites’ use to oppress the Israelites? Why do you think so many of their tactics involved destruction of food crops? How do the Israelites attempt to survive in the midst of their oppression? What is God’s role in this crisis? What does God ultimately want for his people? God called Gideon to act on behalf of the oppressed. Have you ever felt inadequate in the face of food insecurity caused by oppression? Who might the Midianites be in our day? What do you think God would want you to do?
Day 32 – March 21
King Herod has had an undefined conflict with the people of Tyre and Sidon. What motivates the people to seek a peace agreement with Herod? Describe the power dynamic at work in this situation? How does food play a role? Who has leverage in the conflict? Do you think God takes sides in this conflict? Explain.
Currently, many countries (both developed and developing) import grain from the US. In fact, over 20% of our grain crops are exported. How do you think our food exports change the dynamics of power with importing countries?
For your thought… The other food we export is “fast food” through corporate giants McDonalds (in 122 countries) whose most profitable franchise is in Moscow, Russia, and Yum! Brands (parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell) which opened 5 restaurants a day last year in countries outside of the US. What effect might this have on the dynamics between the US and other countries?
Day 31 – March 20
Famine is a regular occurrence throughout the Bible. Besides the story in today’s Scripture, can you think of other stories that involved food shortages? What are some causes of famine? What options did people have during the famine? How did people suffer? Where are famines today? In today’s Scripture, God uses Joseph to prepare for the famine and feed people. Who is God using today to feed people? How could God use you?
Day 30 – March 19
In an act of anger and revenge for a wrong committed against him, Samson responds by destroying the Philistine’s wheat crop, vineyards and olive groves. Samson believed that this act of eco-terrorism would “really harm them.” Conflict and hunger go hand in hand as food sources often are either destroyed or confiscated. Where have you seen examples of this today? Is there anything Christians can do? If so, what?
Proverbs 25:21 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.” The apostle Paul quotes this verse after specifically saying, “Do not take revenge.” (Romans 12:19-21) Which tactic are you more likely to take with an enemy–giving food or taking it away? Why? Which tactic is more likely to be part of our nation’s foreign policy?
Since 1962, the US has maintained a near total embargo against Cuba in an attempt to destabilize Fidel Castro’s communist government–including a ban on the sale of food. Food embargoes were employed by Allied Powers in World War I against Germany. What do you think of government policy that withholds food as a means to exert pressure on or manipulate others’ behavior?
Day 29 – March 18
What injustices do you observe in the story of Naboth’s vineyard? Why was Naboth so protective of his vineyard? Where do you observe people using their power to take food or income away from people who have little to begin with? What is God’s response to food injustice caused by those with power?
In the US, the Supreme Court has ruled that governments have the right to take private property through legal means and with “fair compensation” for civic improvement. These laws are called “eminent domain.” For example, the city of Chicago has used “eminent domain” laws to force people from their homes for the expansion of O’Hare airport. Farmland has also been taken through these legal mechanisms to build highways, construct prisons, etc. What similarities and differences do you see between the story of Naboth’s vineyard and eminent domain laws?
Tongue on Fire 