April 27, 2002

Remarks by Pastor Jens Arne Dale at Rømmegrøt Luncheon

Saturday, April 27, 2002

It’s good to be here at the rømmegrøt luncheon. In my family, we always have grøt/porridge on Saturday. My wife says I will have withdrawal symptoms if I don’t get my rice porridge on Saturday.

We also have another food tradition in Norway, which is not so common here. I’m thinking of matpakke, the packed lunch which we eat every day at work. Usually I make my slices of bread myself, but one day in the lunchroom, I ate a packed lunch that my wife had made. And what did I find there? Between slice number 2 and 3 there was an unusual paper with big red letters, "I love you my darling, yours forever, Trude". I’ve heard about love letters in the sand, but this was love letters in the sandwich! I ate it all. Both the sandwiches and the good words with cheese on the front side and mayonnaise on the back side. I don’t know what gave me the most strength and inspiration that day – the food or the good words.

But I remember Jesus said once: Man cannot live by bread alone, but by the word. So people – Be sure to serve your family, your friends and all the people you meet with friendly words. Paul Simon sings, "Some people never say these words: I love you, but like a child they’re longing to be told." We also need to hear from God: I love you. I forgive all your sins for Jesus’ sake.

So take in God’s Word – "Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that God speaks." Matthew 4:4

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716