The Sin Of Eating A Ham Sandwich
(Hog Week is almost complete! One more post tomorrow. Then, at around 6 p.m. EST tomorrow, we will give away a hog. If you haven't entered the contest, be sure to go back to the Sunday past (just cursor down), read it, and tell me why you want this hog. A Grow-Your-Own-Hog!)
------------------------- ----- We had ham sandwiches for our church fellowship meal last night, which I thought was an interesting coincidence considering the subject I have been covering on t-blog this week. And, directly related I think, today I have had an upset stomach.
I heard a young man of our church complaining about the meal. “I'm not going to eat that dirty meat,” he was proclaiming. He is a good kid, but at this time in his life he is struggleing with an identity crisis. He is one of several biracial families connected with our church, and he has been struggling with whether to connect with the black or white cultures. For the present he is trying hard to be black. He was wearing pants huge and ready to fall off, tennis shoes untied, and some kind of nylon cap upon his head.
Hearing his complaints, I had to walk over to find out what he was thinking. “So, you don't want to eat ham?”, I mused. “No. It's a disgusting meat. You know the Bible says to not eat it.” I replied something to the following: “Jamar, I need to explain this. Jesus is the one through whom we understand the scriptures. And Jesus says it is not what goes into the body that defiles it, but what comes out.” This literal thinking teenager replied, “Yeah. He's talking about poop.” My meal was fast becoming less desirable. “No. He is talking about words and attitudes that come from the heart. These are important to God. But not whether or not you eat ham.”
I do not think he was convinced. This young man, I believe, is conversing with some local Muslims- perhaps at school- and they are probably part of his peer group at this time. Several months ago I allowed him and his friend to perform a Christian rap song for our congregation. Many of our folks were mortified, especially when I spoke words of appreciation to the boys afterwards. I still have not found forgiveness from some!
Pork is not good for one's health, I am convinced. It is hard to digest. If not properly cooked, it can pass along parasites and other bad things. Abstention from such is probably a good thing.
But, I believe the levitical laws of the Old Testament were for the purpose of teaching the Hebrew people to live distinctly and seperately from those around them. They were God's chosen ones. God's intention was to identify them as different and blessed, so they would become a nation of priests to go out and share the message of God's redemption and love with the world. So, these laws (listed ad-nauseum in Leviticus and Deuteronomy) were, in a sense, part of “boot camp” for the Hebrew people.
Now my body is intended to be the “temple of God” - (I Cor. 6:19). God expects me to take care of this body; treat it well. In that context, maybe I need to lay off the ham sandwich, and eat a salad. No bacon bits, either!
02.23.06 (7:45 pm) [
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posted by:
yellowsubmarine (
reply)
post date:
02.23.06 (3:46 pm)
very interesting, but can christians eat pork? cos i love it.
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
02.23.06 (4:00 pm)
Reply to: yellowsubmarine
Pork,ham, the same thing. I wouldn't worry about it, unless you need to be on a strict diet for health reasons.
posted by:
mercuryrising (
reply)
post date:
02.23.06 (8:18 pm)
mmmm pork. One reason I cant pass up dinner at Mom's for Easter :)
posted by:
CherryBlossmGrl (
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post date:
02.23.06 (10:10 pm)
I don't really have a lot of comment but I enjoyed reading this post.
posted by:
LeananSidhe (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (5:23 am)
I'm sure you gave that young man something to think about. Perhaps in the future he won't take the words he reads in the Bible quite so literally but for the metaphors they are...some things for him to ponder :)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (8:46 am)
Reply to: mercuryrising
Dinner at mom's house for Easter! As part of an event at least indirectly connected with the Resurrection, you traditionally eat ham. I think that is a pretty good statement, though I am sure not intentional. Some still live by the old laws, understanding the consumption of pork to be wrong. After 20 centuries of Christianity, many are so affected by the difference Christ has made that they celebrate the most holy day of the religious calendar with a ham dinner. Christ does make things different!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (8:47 am)
Reply to: CherryBlossmGrl
That's fine! Sometimes I read a blog of interest, and have a hard time coming up with something to say. I appreciate you taking the time to thoughtfully read my spiehl. Come back often!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (8:50 am)
Reply to: LeananSidhe
I think, at this time in life, he is not overly concened with the words in the Bible. Life is all about that struggle between coformity and noconformity- the classic teenage angst. To someone significant in his life, ham is not to be eaten, and he is trying to be like that person. I do not intend to be too hard on this kid. Just give him something to think about, if he ever takes time to think. Hopefully there is a good foundation in his life, so he may stray a little, but he should be alright.
Thanks.
posted by:
Jevam (
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post date:
02.24.06 (11:11 am)
Good post. Ham is one of my favorites besides chicken... I just love the honey ham!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (1:48 pm)
No more brats? Ribs? PEPPERONI?
GEEZ.
And I know you're right.
Damn it.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (1:53 pm)
I've decided I want the hog so I can set it on a shelf where, when people come in they'll see it and say "What's that? Where did you get it?"
And I'll say... "Got it from my friend in Georgia. He was running the silliest contest you ever heard of..." (and on I'll go...)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (3:08 pm)
Were this hog in your possession, for you to touch and experience, you would not think it to be silly. You would treasure this dear creature. Surrogate, if you could only understand, the finer things of life are to be treasured. Dear company, a good book, and this hog.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (3:11 pm)
Reply to: Jevam
Maybe you need to join the new campaign I am considering. The phrase, to use on billboards and chant outside the farmer's market, will be: "Save a Hog, Eat PB & J". Catchy, huh?
....Not catchy?
posted by:
Winsome (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (4:36 pm)
I am at the present stage a vegetarian, because one day I got bored and wanted something to believe is morally right to do.
If he wants to be a vegetarian, so be it. It doesn't say anything in the bible against vegetarianism.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.24.06 (5:03 pm)
Reply to: Winsome
Of course, you are right. For a young person to have moral/ethical convictions, and to seek to live his life accordingly is a matter to be admired. Maybe I could have been a bit more gentle in response. I sensed he was being critical of others, and was flippantly using the scriptures to justify a questionable religious conviction. Let's see, say in 3 weeks, if this young man has moved on to another fad. If he continues to avoid pork, so be it; he will probably be healthier because of it.
I thank you for this challenge. It is appropriate.
posted by:
Wren (
reply)
post date:
02.25.06 (7:14 am)
You have a very interesting and informative blog.
http://s3.invisionfree.com/Hearts_Afire
posted by:
bacardibreezer (
reply)
post date:
02.25.06 (8:59 pm)
well, I am a vegetarian myself so I can agree not to eat the pork, lol, plus the whole "ham" thing has been getting on my nerves lately, but that is a whole other story *rolls eyes* I think too many people are too literal like that..
posted by:
javageek (
reply)
post date:
02.26.06 (4:10 pm)
Ok I have to go with a loose Pulp Fiction scene:
SG: "I don't eat pork."
JT: "Bacon tastes good! Pork Chops taste good!"
SG: "Pigs root and eat in their own filth."
JT: "So does a dog."
SG: "I don't eat dog either!"
... Sorry I can't remember the whole thing. One of the best dialogues ever!
posted by:
JT (
reply)
post date:
02.28.06 (11:24 am)
Not to ride on Javageek's coattails, but I must post this, from The Simpsons episode where Lisa becomes a vegetarian:
Homer: Wait a minute wait a minute wait a minute. Lisa honey, are you
saying you're *never* going to eat any animal again? What about
bacon?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
Lisa: Dad! Those all come from the same animal!
Homer: [Chuckles] Yeah, right Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.
Very interesting post, Pastor Dave!
