The Kitchen Sink
An occasional piece of paper
October 9, 2011
Vol. 14 no. 39
Thanksgiving needs a meal. Food is always a gift, even when we buy it. We never make food by ourselves, we grow it, harvest it, prepare it and receive it, but we do not create it. We say ‘grace’ at our meals, for even though we may pay money for the food we are eating, thanks is still the most important commodity we can give in return. In giving thanks we acknowledge our debt.
Most meals in the Biblical narrative are positive examples, instances in which often rich and poor, powerful and oppressed people come together and for a few bites are equal.
It is another instance of the Lectionary’s irony that on this Thanksgiving, the infamous story of the Golden Calf is regaled to give us food for thought. It may have been the biggest block party in the entire Bible and have no doubt, it was a feast to the Lord, as Aaron enthusiastically proclaimed. People rose early in the morning, prepared the whole meal deal, sat down for a while to eat and drink, and then “rose up to play.” Just like your Thanksgiving family meal today or tomorrow! What games will you be playing around the Golden Turkey?
That meal resulted not from thanks, but from impatience and a sense of entitlement. The people of Israel had had it with Moses; he wasn’t superman enough for them, so they insisted that Aaron, his brother and spokesperson, should “make gods for us.” We can’t make food, but you can make a god. It was a thankless task and a thankless meal.
So today and tomorrow give thanks, worship only one God, and when you gather around the table, do not eat steak.
Knox-Metropolitan United Church
Regina, Saskatchewan