“Just try it!” It’s uncomfortable, but we are all called to sample one small bite

By Theresa Crimmins, St. Pius X Parish, Tucson

I have two boys: one who eats everything, and one who only eats yellow and brown food – a steady diet of grilled cheese, quesadillas, macaroni & cheese, cheeseburgers, and crackers. I am forever imploring him to try “just one small bite” of something different – and on the rare occasion, am successful.

I know I’m not alone in this – I know of many parents that prepare “special” meals for their picky eaters. Why is it such a fight for kiddos to expand their palates?

Simply: the unknown is uncomfortable and scary.

A resistance to experiences outside of our comfort zone is not kid-specific – we adults suffer from this as well. But to move beyond our sphere of comfort is exactly what is asked of us as Catholics.

In 2015, Pope Francis published Laudato Si’, an encyclical focused on care for creation. In this document, Francis clearly described the destruction of the environment and disproportionate impact on the poor, calling for a moral transformation and restoration of relationships among humans, God, one another, and the rest of creations. Francis states, “We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental” (Laudato Si’ #139).

Francis attributes these crises to the developed world’s indifference to the destruction of the planet and other cultures on the path to economic gain. In this "throwaway culture," goods and even people are readily cast aside.

We are currently in the midst of a Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year, in which we are challenged to reconsider our relationships and actions and to “act together to save Our Common Home, to create a new birth, a new common home, to restore the eco-systems, to build up solidarity among ourselves” (Vatican News, 5-18-20).

But, whoa, what an immense challenge. Take on global-scale crises? How can my actions possibly have an impact?

As I encourage my yellow-and-brown-food-loving son, take just one small bite.

Start by giving thanks. Make the effort to simply focus on all that God has created – simply step outside, breathe in deeply, let your eyes settle, and be – in the light of the sun, among the trees, animals, sky, and rocks – for a moment.

Reconnecting with the surrounding plants and animals and environment, making this space in our hearts and minds is the crucial first step toward any meaningful change for the better in the ills of our environment and society. As Pope Francis states, “If we approach nature and the environment without… openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously” (Laudato Si’ #11).

Taking just a moment, on a regular basis, to pause and recognize the plants, animals, rocks, water, clouds, and air that surround us, that sustain us, that God created orients us to finding our footing and discerning our next step. “Our goal is not to amass information or to satisfy curiosity, but rather to become painfully aware, to dare to turn what is happening to the world into our own personal suffering and thus to discover what each of us can do about it” (Laudato Si’ #19).

Remembering to make the space in my day to give thanks and reconnect with all of the life in my life – both my loved ones and the animals, plants, air, rocks, planets, and all that God has created – is a challenge for me. I’m hopeful that by pushing out of my comfort zone it will become more automatic. I’m faithful it will prepare me for whatever God’s next steps for me are. And I’m encouraged that becoming more comfortable with the uncomfortable will rub off on others – like my family members! Maybe I’ll succeed in getting my son to take just one small bite of something red… or blue…or even (gasp!) green – eventually.