Words of Worth

“You sure like to eat!”

July 27, 2012

It is no secret to those of you who know me, that I take great pride in being Italian. Perhaps, some of you even think, “Yeah, way too much pride!” Fear not, however, because there are many things about being Italian that humble me because as much as I like being Italian, I’m not a terribly gifted one when it comes to speaking the language.  Almost two years ago now, my cousin and I took Italian lessons where we spent the better part of the course learning to say “the” seven different ways, and where we often defaulted to speaking Spanish, the language we studied in high school, when we had to do oral recitation in class.  The professor was none too pleased with us!

Another humbling point concerns preparing Italian food.  Let’s just say that I am not gifted with the same enthusiasm for the process of preparing Italian food as I am with the process of consuming cheese stuffed ravioli!  So with all of my boasts of being Italian, I am seriously lacking!  I am not fluent in speaking the lovely Italian language or in the Italian love language of food.  Does that deter me?  Not really because I still try my hand at an Italian dish or two, and I attempt a few good Italian phrases, even if sprinkled with some Spanish.

The other night was no exception!  I prepared Italian sausage and peppers for some friends who, although not Italian, have been living in Italy for 14 years.  It’s a huge risk to prepare Italian food for a true Italian; not so big a risk to prepare Italian food for non Italians.  Either way, however, I like to hear, “Brava” about my cooking, and the other night didn’t leave me wanting.  The friends around the table enjoyed my cooking, and those who are fluent in the seven ways of saying “the” in Italian, said, “Buona forchetta” (good fork) as they reached for another serving of sausage.  At first I thought they were complimenting the silverware, but what they were saying in such a beautiful way was that they were someone who loves to eat!  Saying, “I love to eat” in English might garner some sarcastic comment like, “Yeah, it shows!” but how can anyone be sarcastic about “Buona forchetta”?!  It is such a pretty expression!

That phrase got me to thinking.  Yes, I thought how there is no greater compliment to a cook, especially an Italian one whose love language is food, than to have people eat seconds and thirds of their meal without being coerced by words such as,
“Mangia! Mangia!” (Eat! Eat!).  But I thought more about the Bible verse that reads,

Your words were found (discovered and even sufficient) and I ate (consumed) them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;”

(Jeremiah 15:16)

What a beautiful expression of how eagerly Jeremiah understood and devoured the Word of God with such delight!  May that be our dining experience as well!  May we consume and digest God’s Word and allow it to purify and strengthen us!  And may we be accused of being people who love to eat God’s words.

Buona forchetta! (sv)