Bread of Life as Daily Event

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6).

I love this promise and find comfort in Jesus’ words. And yet, here we are — at many times being both hungry and thirsty. How do we hear Jesus’ promise today?

I hear the echoes of manna in the wilderness (from last week) and Jesus’ prayer for “give us today our daily bread.” There is an ongoingness to Jesus’ promise, not just a one-and-done event. Coming to Jesus for nourishment is part of repetition and practice. Just as each day holds ongoing tasks of preparing food, eating, sharing, and cleaning up, so it is with Jesus as the bread of life — an everyday venture. How do you receive the bread of life that sustains you?

We are also aware of the need in our world. How many people around the world are hungering for bread, and thirsting for clean water? Jesus’ promise calls us into our world. As we receive enough for today, so we share in order that all will have enough. The promise comes day by day to meet the world’s need every day. How do you already share that with others? Is there something else you would like to try?

St. Timothy friends, God is here in the daily everydayness of eating. Take a moment today to give thanks for whatever you eat — peanut butter, rice and beans, pizza, or lentil salad. And pray for all to enjoy daily bread.