Last Sunday, we celebrated the solemnity of the most holy body and blood of Christ. In each reading, there was a blessing said before the breaking and eating of the bread which reminded me how important it is to say a blessing before I eat something. Saying a blessing over my food helps me to think about God more often during the day and reminds me that I am lucky to have what I do and should eat no more than I need (a help against gluttony which is an all too easy sin to habitually commit in our culture).
I’m working at getting more consistent in giving thanks for my food. Eating out in public or with nonbelievers provides a challenge which I’ve been trying to overcome. First I wouldn’t say the blessing at all. Later I would say the blessing in my head. Then I started quickly mumbling the blessing. Next I would furtively make the sign of the cross before the mumbling. And now I am at the point where I can make the sign of the cross without too much self-consciouness and softly but clearly say a blessing. I’m working at being able to unashamedly make the sign of the cross and say a normally paced blessing without lowering my voice.
For me, it’s the small, everyday issues, like saying a blessing over my food, that are helping me to become a more devoted and confident follower of Jesus Christ.
