Bread of Life

Jesus said, "Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day." John 6:27-40 

Bread of Life

Ancient lined and weathered hands

move rhythmically kneading and massaging

breathing life into a stagnant dough

investing in the possibilities of rising.

First comes the faith that the people can be fed

and next comes the labor to serve others

willingness to rise up early, apron ready

to make the once listless flour feed many.

There is faith and sacrifice, God acting for our live

 we who would serve are pounded and kneaded

covered and warmed as we find breath and rise

hidden in the safe darkness that brings life.

We ache for instant gratification and full bellies

God aches for loving arms wrapped around the dying

aches for trusting hearts who walk the dark city streets

and hands outstretched to the invisible beloved children.

The air is ripe with the smell of baking possibility

the hope of lives kneaded together to feed the world

of faith strong enough to bear the cuts of the world

of hearts full to overflowing with the creator's love.