Dinner Discussions from the Grace Before Meals movement gives “food for thought” for your family meals, by combining some aspects of faith, food, and family fun.  Hopefully this little article will give you something to talk about with your family at the kitchen table – a blessed place that enhances family communion.  If you have a comment, a question, or a topic that you would like to discuss, be sure to contact us at www.gracebeforemeals.com.

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Don’t Work, Don’t Eat!

(Teaching students at the International Community College in Japan, during a speaking tour in 2008.)

The Scripture quote, “Those who don’t work, should not eat.” (2 Thes 3:10) perfectly fits our Grace Before Meals message!  It reflects a phenomenological reality of our existence.  Consider how much work goes into making sure your family has enough to eat.  While many families would prefer to have extra income to purchase toys, gadgets, fashions, and leisure trips, the fruits of their labors go primarily into putting food on the table.  This Scripture quote puts our work in proper perspective!  Eating regular meals with your family is more valuable than purchasing toys and pursuing extravagant hobbies.  Work to eat, not to waste on play!

(Trying to make the best choices in a grocery store.)

This Scripture quote sums up the life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in their home at Nazareth.  This month of May is a perfect time to celebrate that Holy Family.  May is traditionally dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary, especially in light of American’s upcoming Mother’s Day celebration (Click here for a Grace Before Meals Mother’s Day Menu)!

(Mom’s always looking over my shoulder to make sure I’m doing things the “right” way, i.e., her way – haha!)

This month also begins with a liturgical celebration of St. Joseph, the Worker.  It’s almost as if May offers a spiritual reminder to moms and dads to celebrate the work that goes into keeping your family fed – body, mind, and soul.

(An Altar dedicated to St. Joseph, under the patronage of Foster Father of Jesus.)

In Italy, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker is a day off from work – similar to America’s vacation day for the “Labor Day” celebration.  It’s ironic that on such feasts dedicated to “work” that people take the day off.  While many people don’t have to report to work on these feast days, we know families continue to use these vacation days to labor together.  Why?  Well, it takes a lot of work to feed a family!

In my prayers and meditation, I have often reflected on how hard Saint Joseph worked for his family, even though he is traditionally known as having been married at an older age.  He was a local carpenter, and so I’m not sure how much money he would have made.  But we can say for sure he wasn’t wealthy.  I’m sure he made just enough to take care of his family.  We know from Scripture that he relocated his family from Nazareth, to Bethlehem, to Egypt, and then to Galilee – not an easy thing to do today, made much harder while traveling on a donkey in the First century.  So, Joseph worked.  He was no couch potato. (See the food reference?)

St. Joseph’s and our Blessed Mother’s efforts to raise Jesus provide a good model for families today.  Jesus didn’t have any expensive toys, as do our modern day children, but he was given the nurturing love of mom and dad.  While Mary and Joseph weren’t rich, they taught Jesus all of life’s lessons, especially how to endure the crosses in life!

(Stations of the Cross – Lourdes, France.)

The Holy Family gives modern families a realistic understanding of our working priorities:  food, shelter, and clothing before anything else.  While I appreciate how families work very hard to provide the “best” for their children, I caution against the consumerist mentality that can often confuse family priorities.  I caution young parents who feel the need to take on extra jobs – paying for someone else to raise their children in order to buy their children all they want (not all they need).  Parents make these extra sacrifices, but forget the greatest sacrifice:  time with their children.

Parents:  make time to spend with your children.  We know it’s hard work to create space within busy schedules, but this time is a valuable investment.  And what kids need more of is time with mom and dad!

(Queen of the Universe Church, Orlando, Florida.  Statue of Joseph listening to Jesus in carpentry shop.)

Tradition, expressed through art, suggests that St. Joseph the Worker brought Jesus to the woodshop as a young boy, so that Joseph could teach Jesus the trade and, of course, spend time with Him.  For that reason, we believe St. Joseph is reaping the rewards of the Eternal Banquet, because he was willing to work hard in order to feed his Son – the very Son who would eventually work to feed us the Food of Eternal Life.

As the school year winds down for many students, children will have more time on their hands.  Perhaps parents will be preoccupied (okay, worried) thinking of ways to keep children busy and to avoid boredom.  Life always gets a little more hectic in the summer, even though it’s a time for more rest and relaxation.  Perhaps, it may be good to begin encouraging kids to start doing work in the summer: lawn care, babysitting, house chores, etc.  They need to learn early that work has purpose and dignity.

(A local team of young chefs who recently competed in a national cooking competition.  Find out how they did by visiting our blog.)

The month of May is also a great time for families to talk about the priorities in life.  Why do parents work so hard?  Remind children (without lording it over them), why you work so hard.  Perhaps families can use this month to have a “family meeting” and determine how family finances require everyone to work together.  Maybe any saved money can be donated to help families who hardly have enough to eat.  These discussions do not have to occur only during the Christmas season.

Referring once again to our opening Scripture passage, we have a beautiful reminder in the Holy Family for modern families, as they prepare for summer activities together.  A family that works hard to spend time together will definitely have a better chance of eating together in that Eternal Banquet to come!

(Picture of Jesus saying “Grace Before Meals” for His mom and foster father.)

Work hard so that your family can eat of the food that gives everlasting life!

Finally, this past weekend our Church celebrated another important “father,” namely the late Holy Father, John Paul II, who worked very hard in his own life.  He is now known as “Blessed John Paul II!”  He gave me great inspiration as a seminarian and as a young priest.  He used my chalice!  How fitting that he be beatified on such an important day – the feast of St. Joseph, Divine Mercy Sunday, and the 1st Day of the great month of May (my birthday)!

Let us pray:  Father, teach our human family how to be more like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  While our meditation about Saints can sometimes be so pious and sometimes unrealistic, help us to remember that Saints – like St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary – experienced the same troubles in life as we did.  Give us the same Grace to know how they handled their personal crosses.  May Your Grace turn each cross into a blessing, with the prayers of Blessed John Paul II – who now enjoys the Eternal Banquet in Heaven – through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(I was so young then!)

Tell us what you think of this message?  How do you get your children to learn the value of work?  What will you encourage your kids to do this summer to avoid boredom.  Do you have a devotion to the Holy Family?  Your comments, messages, and questions definitely help encourage our movement.  Please share your thoughts and your comments.

Posted in Dinner Discussion, Food for Thought, Grace Before Meals | 3 Comments