The Sacred Meal
Ritual consumption of food and drink as communion with the divine and community.
Exodus 12:1-11
“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. With bitter herbs they are to eat it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord's Passover.'”
Passover Seder as commemorative meal
Luke 22:19-20
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”
Eucharist as sacrament
Hadith on Eid al-Adha
“The Prophet gathered his companions and said, 'On this blessed day of Eid, we feast upon the sacrificial meat. Eat, drink, and be merry, for through this sacrifice, you commemorate Abraham's faith. Share your meat with family, friends, and the poor.'”
Eid feast as celebration of faith and sharing
Bhagavad Gita 9:26
“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it. All that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.”
Prasad as blessed offering and communion
Guru Granth Sahib, Var Sarang
“In the Langar, the Guru's kitchen, all sit in a single line and eat the same humble meal together. There is no distinction of caste, creed, or status. This practice embodies the equality of all souls before God.”
Langar as sacred communal meal
Dhammapada 79
“Few are the beings who reach the shore of Nirvana. The rest of mankind runs about on this shore. But those who follow the dharma correctly will reach the realm of the devas. And giving alms and receiving alms in the spirit of dana creates karma of the highest merit.”
Buddhist pindapata (alms-giving) ritual