Finding Joy in Eating: Lectio With Food

Lectio Divina is traditionally recognized as slow, meditative reading leading to prayer. Lectio with food is a slow, meditative encounter with food—preparing it, sharing it and eating it—that also can lead to prayer.

But food is a complex reality. Some of us have enough, many others do not. Food can build up our bodies or it can literally break them down. Much of our cultural identity and even some of our religious rituals are tied to food and meals. Methods of food production can put us at odds with the very earth we live on.

“Finding Joy in Eating: Lectio with Food” is an eCourse from Monasteries of the Heart inviting you to mindfulness around the basic, everyday action of eating. It is a physical necessity for survival. Whether we eat alone or with others, eating is a communal act. But can our lectio with food bring us to an awareness of the spiritual gifts of food? Can it awaken in us a connection to justice issues around food? Create in us a deeper connection to our earth?

Daily posts will include readings, poetry and scripture on food-related topics as well as reflection questions. While eating specific foods is not necessary for this eCourse, there will be suggestions and recipes. Photos and videos of food/meals will be shared; you can do so, too.

This three-week eCourse runs September 9-27. You will have access to this eCourse for six months after the course concludes. See information at: www.monasteriesoftheheart.org/ecourse/finding-joy-eating-lectio-food.

Vernita Kennen
Incarnation Lutheran, Shoreview