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Hospitality and meal community
In earlier times meals had a different importance as most people used to live in constant deprivation.
The meals were not only for repletion but were a deep expression of friendliness and
communion. The one who is invited as a guest for a meal belongs to the family and is protected
against enemies and evil doers. In this sense the collective meal , the sharing of bread
has been a symbol for hospitality, peace accords and bonding since primitive times!
But today? Do the collective meals or the prayer for our daily bread still connect?
For some the accession to this prayer has become difficult as despite prayers they still
lack, and for others due to their abundance. Hunger and oversaturation are distributed
uneven. While earlier a family, a village, a land was starving or enjoying the abundance
collectively today a part of humanity lives in permanent poverty while some others are
in constant superabundance! In the prayer for our daily bread we also pray that both
come together and learn to share. Despite the abundance of bread we too suffer
deprivation. Wouldn’t we have to pray the fourth petition differently? Our daily work
give us today! Because the sword of Damocles in our modern societies is unemployment. Machines
that alleviate our work also steal our work. -Or: Our daily money give us today! Because
without money nothing goes in our modern world. Finally: Our daily ‘yes’ give us today!
Because who can live without a good word, without honest appreciation? That I am valued
as a person, that my work is appreciated is vital! And then one may ask for even more:
“Our daily love, luck, joy, peace and health give us today!”
We ask in this prayer also for daily patience that enables us to carry what is heavy in
our lives. The daily longanimity to forgive others. The daily hope to take the next step.
In short, we pray for everything that is required to withstand the difficult hours of our life!