The Sin of Waste

At the recent Baltimore Book Festival, I gave a presentation and cooking demonstration.  I offered a few suggestions on how to make the most out of foods, from meats to herbs.  My goal was to make sure nothing goes to waste.  My parents often told me about the plight of poor and hungry children around the world who would be quite happy to eat what I so casually wasted.  In my smart aleck fashion, I suggested to my parents that they package my uneaten brussels sprouts and send those hungry people my unwanted veggies.  My flippant attitude alone constituted a sin.  But the primary sin fell under the category of disregarding God’s blessings, i.e., waste.

(At the press conference with the Mayor of Baltimore and a few favorite story book characters.)

We can fulfill our moral responsibility in making sure we don’t waste food by putting a few cooking tips into practice.  Prepping food a few days in advance, being creative with leftovers, and simply being organized when shopping can all help alleviate waste while at the same time recognizing the blessing of food.

Coming from a poor country, my parents were very “faithful” when it came to food.  Leftovers filled our refrigerator.  But my mother’s creative culinary skills let her reuse food, but not repeat meals.  A little inspiration and creative technique can certainly help avoid waste and sin!

(Mom making sure I cook it the “right” way, i.e., “her” way!)

Food, however, is not the only thing that’s wasted in our world.  Our Grace Before Meals movement doesn’t just focus on the food for the body, but the food for the soul as well.  As such, I want to draw your attention to something else that can be wasted:  our minds.  Our conscience!

Events like the Baltimore book festival give me an opportunity to consider how not to waste our minds.  The Grace Before Meals presentation gave spectators – not just Catholics and Christians by the way – an opportunity to feed the mind with some bite-sized theology.  But I was also inspired to see how so many people came out to dive more deeply into the real potential of books.

(The IKEA stage cooking demo staff and volunteers.)

Reading a book, particularly classical books with enduring truthful themes, can be a remedy to the relativism and lackluster creativity that plagues our world.  The lack of imagination has certainly infected younger people, who have become technological geniuses, but relatively inarticulate drones with regards to normal human conversation, morality, and even common sense.  Take away the computer game joystick and put something in the hands of young people that give true joy:  a good book!

(At a book signing for Bobby Flay’s Book – Fall 2010.)

For me it doesn’t matter if the book is read on bounded paper or from modern mini-monitors like the Kindle or iPad – as long as the reader’s mind absorbs information from the great and creative literary works of art.  Don’t let our minds go to waste!  Remember, waste is a sin.  Waste of the mind by not challenging its potential, filling it with “bad things” to the point of corruption or spoil, or starving it from flavors of higher education constitutes an offense to God.  God, who gave humans the unique gift of a rational soul, unlike any other created being in this world.

(Quebec street performers. Perhaps not the most rational stunt, but certainly very exciting!)

Many people ask me what books I would suggest to avoid wasting a mind?  In my opinion, it all depends on a person’s interest.  But I think people ought to contribute some time reading from catechetical texts, stories about the lives of saints, inspirational novels, and listening to engaging audio lectures and faithful sermons.  While I can offer these suggestions, I admit I’m not as well read as I would like to be.  However, I certainly enjoy reading – especially if I don’t have to be tested on the materials later!

In this week’s Blast I want suggest two books – both that deal with waste and sin.  The first is the classic novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables.  The story chronicles the story of Jean Valjean, who at the outset is convicted and severely punished for petty theft.  After years of hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread, he is paroled.  Out of desperation and the fact that he knew very little other than prison cruelty, he continued to live a rogue life.  Then the example set by a charitable Bishop opened Valjean’s mind to a spiritual conversion and a life of grace.  Valjean showed the possibility of moving away from sin towards sanctity – even in the midst of the turmoil and drama of the French Revolution.

(More French-influenced street performers in Quebec City.)

I watched different film versions of Les Miserables along with theatrical productions – more than once!  But nothing compared to reading the novel.  The words opened my mind and my soul to God’s Grace.  At my own pace, the book let me read, reflect, and see how nothing (and no one) in God’s sight is a waste.  Even sinners and the inexperience of miserable injustice can become moments for grace.

Another book to recommend recently topped the charts of Catholic books.  It was written by SiriusXM radio host Lino Rulli, aka, The Catholic Guy.  His book, Sinner, offers personal reflections on the crazy antics of a talented young man, who despite the foibles and falls of humanity, continues to follows God’s will – even as a sinner.  This book offers down-to-earth stories of fallen humanity on the way to sanctity.  Lino’s humor shines through, and his stories touch a chord shared by young people – especially young men who can admit how the pressures of stereotypical masculinity can impede a life of sanctity.  His book has done quite well, receiving the support of Archbishop Dolan of New York and even Howard Stern – at the same time!  It shows nothing is wasted with God, and even a sinner’s life is worthy to God.

(Lino Rulli and I had a chance to hang out in D.C. this past summer. Here you can see him goofing off – which he does so well!)

If you haven’t picked up a good book in a while, give these titles a try.  Consider how our minds are like empty plates, which we can fill up with junk food or a healthy, delicious, satisfying feast for the body, mind, and soul!

God, Wisdom beyond compare, help us to learn, live, and use all of the gifts You give to us.  May we never let our minds go to waste.  May we tap into our deeper conscience in order to see the great sin of waste.  Give us the strength to also do what we can to help those who hunger in our world.  May we share all the blessings we have received with them – food from our table and faith from our hearts.  Amen.

(The entrance to the John Paul II Expo in Vatican City, decorated with a large book to symbolize the late Pope’s extensive reading and writing.)

What was the last book you read and would recommend?  Have you experienced Les Miserable or read Lino’s new book, Sinner?  What do you think of it?  Your comments encourage our movement and give new insight to our subscribers.  Post your comments below.

Ask Fr. Leo for
fatherly advice.

Posted in Dinner Discussion, Food for the Body, Food for the Soul, Food for Thought, Grace Before Meals | 6 Comments