Slow food

I appreciated the article about Slow Food and its many aspects (NCR, Jan. 11). We should never underestimate the power of food. Not only do people need food to live but we also enjoy food as part of nearly every social interaction. And although many people in the world are content with whatever food they can get, even they delight in food that is well prepared with a bit of imagination. I know of a man I consider very holy who often fasts but never fails to comment on how good the bread is and eats it slowly in order to enjoy every morsel. I also recall how many times in the Gospels Jesus went to banquets and apparently enjoyed them too. I especially like the little barbecue along the sea when Jesus grilled fish for his disciples (John 21: 9-14). The Eucharist is our call to a banquet with our fellow worshippers consisting of two items: bread, unleavened and mostly tasteless, and wine, that element of joy and celebration. We need both.

LUCY FUCHS

Brandon, Fla.

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