Sharing Communion:
Hunger, Food, and Genetically Modified Foods
Robert Song
A description of the experience of starvation is followed by normal responses to the issue—blaming and guilt. In this awareness, the celebration of the eucharist is an awesome undertaking.
One Bread, One Body. Early Christianity routinely shared meals together, including the eucharist. One has to be careful that we see ourselves as host in the Eucharist. In fact we are guests, in spite of our wealth. And our charity should be seen as part of that one body, not as some kind of virtue. “If the power work to divide the body, Christ’s victory over the powers is celebrated the eucharistic enactment of the unity of the body.
Embodying the Eucharist: Eucharistic Practices in a Hungry World. Several practical ways to celebrate the Eucharist in the context of hunger.
The Case of Genetically Modified Foods. What is the Christian response to a world where the ability to produce food might be (will be) outstripped by the population? First, we should not view population growth as a problem. And, we should not be in denial about the issue of how we are going to feed everyone. Yet, we need to be suspicious about the narrative of the biotechnology revolution. “… Given the projected world food needs, one would need to be very sure about the adequacy of alternatives before categorically rejecting GM—a stance that is practically problematical if it is the well fed rather than the poor or hungry who are making the decision. But it does mean that those nourished by eucharistic vision will remain very suspicious of any logic of necessity, particularly when it is articulated by those who are powerful and will massively benefit as a result.” emphasis mine.
The Eucharist and the Judgment of God. In light of Amos’ “I hate … your religious feasts”, “ the possibility of ‘correctly’ performing the liturgy of the Eucharist but failing to embody the righteousness of God remains a constant threat to the Church."