Bread of Life

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.” Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:35, 41-51

Every culture and ethnic group have breads that are particularly significant to their people. For Indigenous people in this country, frybread is cherished throughout although it is made slightly differently in each community. Frybread is not "traditional" in the true sense, but bread made from the commodities we were given by the federal government. White flour, lard and sometimes milk. Traditionally, Cherokees, my people, made a bean bread called, tuya asuyi gadu, of ground corn and beans and that was our staple. Jesus tells us that he is the bread of life for every community, the staple of life, whether we are far from our traditions or imbedded in our communities. Jesus is the bread that binds us all together and which is life giving to all.

Loving Creator, you feed us at all times

lead us through the storms of our lives

tenderly finding us a holy way forward

and bringing us safely to our homes.

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

Too often, we leave our familiar people

and wander thinking we know best

finding ourselves lost and aching for home

wishing we could have a taste of the familiar.

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

The world can be harsh and terribly violent

we tear at one another when we are hurting

we cry out in our pain, our shame and anger

yet you promise that there is life renewed again.

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

Help us, Lord, to ready our hearts to receive you

so that we might be your people here and now.

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

You have been our ground and our strength

help us to trust in your constant care for everyone. 

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore.

Gracious Lord, renew us for your service here

so the people might be filled and blessed by your love. 

Bread of heaven, feed us now and evermore. Amen.