They go all the way back to Eden. God knows – these struggles don’t surprise Him. And He cares.
Just as Genesis introduces sin with a ‘meal’ (the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil), Jesus gave us a meal (Holy Communion, Mass, the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper) to remember evil’s defeat – in a sense, redeeming our eating.
Communion involves our bodies. It engages all our senses. It gives a physical symbol of Jesus’ body broken that ours might be made whole. And it reminds us that we are loved and forgiven.
Communion is shared – a meal taken together in the presence of Jesus and with people. Unlike eating disorders’ tendency to isolate, it fosters togetherness.
And communion acknowledges suffering and hope. People experiencing eating disorders may find taking communion difficult, and that’s OK – this is a place of grace, not guilt. At communion, we remember that the suffering of Jesus was followed by resurrection. In Him, our suffering too ultimately gives way to hope. The Wedding Supper of the Lamb gives an image of this – an image of all who are in Christ finally eating with freedom and joy in His eternal presence.
You might like to use the short poem below to reflect on these themes:
A good creation.
A piece of fruit taken: A meal.
Hiding in shame.
Paradise lost.
Harmony broken.
Fear, guilt, striving: Over a meal?
Seeking ‘enough’.
Never enough.
God become flesh.
Body broken, blood given: A meal.
From His wounds, healing.
Found by love.
In dark before day,
‘Do this in remembrance’: A meal.
Together, redeemed.
He is enough.
Bright morning star rises.
The Lamb’s Wedding Supper: A meal.
Joy full, unhindered.
Love eternal – enough.
