How tacos can change your life

I’m not really sure why World Taco Day is a thing. It’s probably just a marketing device to boost sales at restaurants, Mexican or otherwise. The same goes for Taco Tuesdays – why not #TequilaTuesdays? #TeaTuesdays? #TiramisuTuesdays?

I don’t understand it, but I’m okay with it. In fact, Taco Tuesdays have become a beloved part of my week.

Method:

1. Head to local pub after work.
2. Order four tacos for $20.* Hope that they’re chicken.
3. (Recommended) Add a schooner of Young Henry’s Newtowner for $5. Receive token.
4. Catch up on the week, talk about anything and everything in the universe.
5. Divert conversation to the most recent message at church.
6. Discuss Bible and Jesus things.
7. (Optional) Cash in token for another $5 schooner of Newtowner.
8. Pray for each other.
9. (Optional) Take home 1-2 tacos, depending on how many are left over.

There is nothing earth-shattering about our Taco Tuesdays. But I know that our lives are being changed for the better in countless little ways thanks to the time we spend being with each other. And not only through prayer and theological discussion but even through the trivial tussles and more serious debates on whether Taylor Swift is better than Katy Perry (the answer is yes – obviously!).

It’s an act of fun, but it’s also an act of solidarity to sit together and share a meal, share life’s ups and downs. And in our postreligious society, it feels slightly but oh-so-satisfyingly subversive to speak the name of Jesus and pray in a pub.

It can be a little chaotic at times, but honestly it feels like church needs to be a bit more like this and a bit less like going to see a scripted and rehearsed show on a Sunday.

It’s also less weird (and more relatable) to tell your workmates you’re going to Taco Tuesdays with church friends than to say you’re going to “bible study” which sounds both nerdy and religious, and not in a good way.

Not that I think Christians should care about being cool for the sake of being cool and attractive to the unchurched. What we should care about is being relevant – and food and friends is a relevant combination in any culture. Even if that food is inauthentic Tex-Mex served up at a Sydney pub on a Tuesday.

Sadly, we discovered this week (the week of World Taco Day no less!) that our go-to Taco Tuesday joint now only serves 3 not 4 tacos for $15. It remains to be decided whether we need to move our food and friends elsewhere.

Header photo: Chad Montano.

You may be interested in reading about why I don’t like burritos. Or my life in booze.

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