Lent 2020 day 10

(The photo today is of cheese made by a Dutch couple in Portugal - colleagues of my parents - who have put a lot of thought into how their cheese is made, and the land and cows it comes from - it’s also delicious! Read about some aspects of their work here.)

’I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil – this is the gift of God.’ (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

Ruth Valerio writes:
“Having enough to eat is not only vital for survival, but sharing a meal with others is part of what it means to be human. It is also central to our faith, as we remember Jesus’ final meal before he was crucified when we take communion.

We should enjoy our food thoughtfully, considering why, how fast, and where we are eating, who we are eating with and where our food has come from. Were the people who farmed the food treated fairly? Has it contributed to environmental breakdown?

Our joy in eating is surely diminished when our food has caused the destruction of forests or robbed local farmers of their livelihoods. Our responsibility is to try and eat sustainably, making every effort to ‘do good while we live’, so our habits will allow others to enjoy creation’s bounty.”