The Lent Journal 9

Source: http://becausegodlovesmeasiam.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html

Kaffee und Kuchen. This is the title of another confession.

You know those words or phrases that you only have in one specific language? I propose that German should have "Kaffee und Kuchen". This time it's not a philosophical term, but an über-earthly expression. 

"Coffee and cake" don't translate the real meaning behind it. There is tradition of coffee and cake. It's what you'll have in a wedding party. On a meeting with friends. After a special church service. 

The coffee in question will be dense strong delicious coffee. No need of sugar. Maybe some Kaffeesahne (milk cream, not only milk, but milk full of cream - fat percentage is high here). The cake in question varies. But won't be too sweet either. And then, heavens!, the detail that will make your whole being vibrate in unison with the cosmos, a spoonful of cream next to your cake. 

You understand what am I craving for? 

Good. Thank you. 

Of course I try to justify myself. Cake is my favourite food. I come from a state where coffee production plays an important role in our state economy. Coffee is also important in our local cuisine. 

So what? Time to put things into perspective, I have been learned. Yeah, I've been warned that this is what fasting does: put your masks down, uncover your false short cuts for life. 

Interestingly, the reading for today touches on another important point about food, making another point to put things into the right perspective. It's Luke 5: 27 - 32 (The Message). 

After this he went out and saw a man named Levi at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” And he did—walked away from everything and went with him.

Levi gave a large dinner at his home for Jesus. Everybody was there, tax men and other disreputable characters as guests at the dinner. The Pharisees and their religion scholars came to his disciples greatly offended. “What is he doing eating and drinking with crooks and ‘sinners’?”

Jesus heard about it and spoke up, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.”