Lent 2007 : The Spiritual Sense of Taste
A sermon preached by Fr Michael Fuller
We often say that something “tastes divine”, but usually without reflection upon what we mean by that. Our commonest meaning is simply that the taste is incomparably good to us.
Taste is the most rewarding sense of all. It gives sustenance as well as enjoyment. It is the sense associated with wisdom: a sustenance that is moral and spiritual as well as physical. The Christian tradition has understood taste in various ways, most obviously in the Eucharistic rite using the bread and wine. A glance into the Jewish tradition, however, also indicates that taste can also be rewarding when the bitterness of food reminds us of our own need to confront our sin and those things that raise bitterness in us. A bitter as well as a sweet taste can prompt us to reflect on divine things and our need for atonement. Eating and tasting helps us to understand our sense of self. Three understandings of the role of taste might be helpful here:
- when we receive all food and meals as gifts
- when we choose experience taste as unitary: as moral and physical
- when we recognise our place in a community of those who taste
Think about these questions the next time you are participating in a Eucharistic service:
- Who or what is consumed in the Eucharist?
- Who is our communion with in this consumption?
Further Reading
- Read and reflection upon the different relations of spirit to tasting described in the Bible: 1 Kings 19:1-18; Song of Songs 7:1-4, 8-9; John 21:1-19
- Jean Vanier, Community and Growth, pages 165-203, 313-328
- Caroline Walker Bynum, Holy Fast, Holy Feast: chs. 2 “Fast and Feast: The Historical Background”) and 8 (“The Meaning of Food: Food as Physicality”)
Fr Michael Fuller : 6th March 2007