Cutting Both Ends of the Ham

Sometimes we do things a certain way just because that’s the way we’ve always done them. Every now and then it’s worth taking time to stop and assess our actions. My former pastor, the late Rev. John E. Sharpe, used to tell the following story:

During a family holiday gathering, there was a woman in the kitchen who was busily preparing the meal. She took out the ham and lopped off the front and back ends before placing it in the large baking pan.

“Mom, why do you always cut both ends of the ham?” her daughter asked, after observing the ritual. “Well, that’s funny,” the woman said, “I never really thought about it. It’s something my mom always did.” Just then, the woman’s mother came into the kitchen for a glass of water. “Grandma,” the youngest woman said, “why is it that you always cut both ends of the ham before baking it?” The oldest woman thought for a moment and said, “Well, that’s the way my mother always did it.”

At that very moment, the matriarch of the family entered the kitchen. “Great-grandmother,” the youngest woman said to her, “We were just wondering. Why is it that you always cut off both ends of the ham before you baked it?” Without hesitation, the eldest woman present said, “Oh, child, that was because my pan was always too small!”

Jesus often rebuked the Pharisees for doing things out of tradition and ritual. He wanted them to understand that their intentions were more important than their practices (read Matthew 6).

As followers of Christ, let’s examine our actions and act consciously. What are your thoughts? Leave a comment!