True Food

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. John 6:52-59

Every few years there are new recommended diets and new guidelines. Whether it's mediterranean, keto, additives to our food and our coffee, whatever it is, folks are believing that the right food will change their lives. Most are being sold a bill of goods and are being bilked by scammers of all stripes. It is clear from our gospel today that none of those magic pills will change our lives. God's love, taken in and trusted, the Creator's word daily consumed and daily consulted, is what changes our lives forever. We can follow trends and feel lost or follow Jesus and find our way home.

Gracious Creator, you bring us to harvest time

the fields are right with fruits and grains

you provide the fuel for our bodies and soul

and promise to care for us in every age.

We are drawn in by salespeople and hucksters

thinking we can change our lives for the better

instead, we find ourselves more hopelessly lost

and cannot find our way to your sacred ground.

Help us to be filled with your love and spirit

the world needs that eternal food and hope

let us take in deeply the true bread of life

that we might be your people here and now. Amen.