Animal Sacrifice:

[USU78]

In another thread, the very interesting point got made a couple of times that ritual animal sacrifice, which is nearly always accompanied by a meal shared by certain persons according to strict rituals as to entitlement to participate and mode of participation. Thus do humans invite G-d to share the meal with them in order to thank G-d for prior favors and/or invoke His aid/forgiveness. What occurred to me today, out of the blue, is how this notion is put on its head by the Master.

What is His first miraculous act? Providing wine for mankind (at the Cana wedding celebration).

What is one of His most notable miraculous acts? Providing bread and fish for the multitude.

Here the G-d shares His meal with mankind, instead of the other way around, and in doing so, underscores the good gifts He promises for those who have but to ask for them.

[Magyar]

Great point.

We might consider such a thing to be one of those childhood of man things of which the Apostle Paul wrote. In India, A Wounded Soul, Naipal speaks wistfully of the many small rituals of the pious Hindus in his homeland -- rituals from which he is now emotionally distanced -- even simple little things like offering a bit of the dough from the day's bread-baking into the fire.

Simple acts, simple rhythms, no longer part of the Christian's life. A necessary change as we have grown spiritually -- but still, not left behind without a pang of sadness.