Eat and Drink to the Glory of God

St. Paul tells us “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Eating and drinking are common to all of us, and isn’t it wonderful that we can eat and drink for the glory of God?

This Bible passage brings to mind the motto of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuits, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (“For the Greater Glory of God”). We should strive to do everything in our lives for the greater glory of God–and this includes eating and drinking!

Eating and drinking for the glory of God involves eating and drinking temperately rather than immoderately. We also need to take reasonable care of our health by eating healthfully.

“The most efficacious means of keeping in mind the rules of temperance, and obtaining strength to follow them, is to say, piously, the prayer before and after meals. By this we shall draw down upon ourselves the blessing of God, and obtain the grace not to offend Him” (St. John Baptist de la Salle).

You can pray in your own words before and after meals, or you can use these traditional Catholic prayers for before and after meals. They can be easily memorized and prayed anywhere you eat!