Abstract / DOI
The Holy Eating – to Eat the Holy One? To eat together is more than reloading physical energy: It is founding or conforting community. To eat together without sharing community is a kind of criminal act. In early religions Gods are inviting humans to share their meals and drinks (e.g. nectar and ambrosia): as an expression of community with the Gods and as granted participation in eternal youth. In the Greek mythology Tantalus – who despises this offer – is punished by eternal starving; in Jewish mythology Adam and Eve – and mankind, eating the forbidden fruit – are still more severly punished. But none of these traditions speaks about a God who gives himself as a meal. Exactly that is the centre of Christian eucharist: blood and flesh as antidotum against the evil fruit of Garden Eden. «Sobria ebrietas» becomes the promise of the great wedding meal within the eschatological future. This is the difference between the holy eating and eating the Holy one Himself.