From the Gospel : on eating free(dom) food

Abstract

This reflective article explores the biblical themes of food, freedom, and justice through readings from Exodus 16:2-4,12-15; Ephesians 4:17,20-24; and John 6:24-35. Drawing on a Maltese proverb about the appeal of free and tasty food, it parallels the crowds following Jesus after the miracle of the loaves and fishes with modern injustices faced by low-wage workers, such as food delivery couriers unable to afford decent meals. The piece emphasizes the link between the Eucharist (the "bread of life") and liberation from oppression, sharing a personal story of a woman finding dignity and communion through a shared meal in an abuse shelter. Referencing Shawn Copeland's Enfleshing Freedom, it calls for bodily solidarity against indignities, urging readers to seek eternal sustenance over perishable food and to participate in Christ's suffering body for social, political, and economic change.