I began a Catechism class today with some children in the parish where I am currently serving. One of the central questions to them was: “Why do we pray before meals?” If you are among those who doubt the influence of movies on young minds, then come and listen to the answer they innocently gave. According to them, “They pray before meals so that God will remove the poison in the food.” This answer hinges on the form of prayers that they have come to imbibe over the years; such as: “Father bless this food and sanctify it in Jesus name. Amen!”, “Father remove the poison that is in this food in Jesus name. Amen!”, “Father do not allow us to die after eating this food in Jesus name. Amen!”. The above were also attested by them.
Looking at the above prayers, you understand the spirituality of most Christians today. I tried to lead the young minds to the very reasons why we pray before meals by asking them to think beyond POISONING of the food and they could not. I even promised gifts to whoever that will think beyond that but no way. I then asked them this challenging question: “Can your parents who give you food also poison the food such that you pray over it before eating?” Again, “After eating, what version of prayer do you then say?” At this point, their young minds were greatly challenged but they could not think critically. I then led them into the depth of the Church’s prayers (grace) before and after meals, which, when summarized bring out the following; (before meal): plea for God’s blessings on the person and the gift of the food, recognition and gratitude of God’s Providence and (after meal): thanksgiving to God and petition for the happy repose of the faithful departed.
Beloved friends, there is no gainsaying that the richness of the official prayers BEFORE and AFTER meals, as taught by the Church, go beyond whatever prayer we can formulate in a hurry (i.e: microwave prayers) before and after meals. However, the problem is that, more often than not, we think that we are wiser and more spiritual than the Church. This explains why many Catholics have abandoned these prayers that are rich in theology and deep in spirituality. It is quite unfortunate!
While I have sampled my encounter with these young minds, I am also sure that there are many mature minds who are still carrying the erroneous mentality that prayers are said before meals just for God to remove the imagined poison from the imagined enemies; even when the food is coming from the parents, wife, husband, children, etc. This is indeed, what movies can instill in the minds of people who do not pay critical attention to what they see in the name of movies. Well, to draw the curtain, just take a look once again at these prayers and then you will marvel at the wisdom and the spirituality of the Church:
PRAYER BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS
👉🏼BEFORE:
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
👉🏼AFTER:
We give you thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
May the souls of the faithful departed – Through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
👉🏼NOTE:
Parents and teachers, you have the obligation of teaching your children and those under you the above prayers in your own preferred language and always ensure that they say the prayers.
Remain blessed🙏🏼
(13/01/2021)