We were all involved
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS

When I was with the O.F.M.’s at San Damiano Friary (Novitiate, in 1997, at Cedar Lake, Indiana), Sunday dinner was prepared by a team of two friars. One Sunday was my tum to choose a dinner and prepare it with someone else assisting me. Here I am, a beginner, a novice, being assisted by Fr. Don, which already is a wonderful thought because in a friary everything is done together. We're a family, regardless of our ministry or work assignment. I selected the meal from one of those computer CD's that alleges to have 10,000 recipes on it... Chicken Napoli. I have never made anything this fancy, and to tell you the truth, I wasn't sure I could bring this off, especially for nine people, so I did a lot of praying. I think the others did too, because they knew they were the guinea pigs. Anyway, the dinner was great... and you know what... the Holy Spirit did all the planning and the work! Then at table the following afternoon, we got to talk about all the people who were involved in preparing this meal, and it gave me an idea for the “The Canticle,” a publication of Divine Mercy Fraternity (OFS), in Vero Beach, Florida. It was in their August 1997 issue.

“FOOD IS A GIFT FROM GOD.”
by Fred Schaeffer
God gives us this gift not only to feed us, but also to allow us to earn a living. Farmers planted the seeds for the potatoes, eggplant, cauliflower, carrots, peppers, onions, celery and tomatoes that went into this meal. They also planted the pepper, salt, garlic and dill weed in various forms. The poultry farmer fed the chickens from which the chicks hatched that were involved in this dish. Lots of migrant farmers were involved in the entire process, and we all know how migrant farmers are oftentimes exploited, so in addition to a lot of joy and sweat, also a lot of tears are a part of this dish. Then there were others who prepared the vegetables and chickens for market, the stuff was packed by packers, priced by wholesalers, repacked by packers, stored by warehouse people, transported by truckers, bought by grocers, put on the shelves or into freezers by helpers of all sort, repriced for retail, cashed out by cashiers, bagged by baggers, purchased by my brother Phil who does the food buying for this house, and finally, at the end of this long list (which is by no means inclusive), Fr. Don and myself cooked (in this case, baked) it in casseroles (there were lots of people involved in making and selling the pots  and pans as well). Finally, there are those who ate it, and enjoyed it. Leftovers helped feed us the following day. We are ALL involved! Then WHY do so many act as if they are the only person on this earth? We fed you, we clothed you, we comforted you, we hugged you, we prayed for you, we taught your children, we drive your trains and busses, we processed and sold you your food, we made just about everything you use, and ultimately, we gave our lives for you, in blood and in sweat and in sickness and in death. We have a social as well as a moral obligation to each other as we do to ourselves. Isn't what Jesus asked us to do when He said: ''You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." 
Your neighbor as yourself.  That means no one is exempt!

Fred Schaeffer, OFS
August 1997; republished Aug. 2021

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