Bread of Life

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.’ 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 6:30-33,48-51

When the bright lights of the holidays dim, and the festive atmospheres are gone from our eyes, we retreat inside, away from the cold wind and snow. Our days are still short, and the clouds dim the daylight. It is deep midwinter. And yet it is in the deep midwinter that hearts can come alive with creativity. We don't have crops to plant or outside events, so we can focus on the needs of our hearts. Some rush to the gym this time of year trying to make their bodies better. Others clean with vengeance. Yet Jesus invites us to a table already set and calls us in these dark days of winter to be fed from inside out. May we let love dwell and grow within us today. May we be those rooted in the bread of life.

Wondrous Creator, you are the bread of life

you feed us when the crops are all gone

and lead us to new ground and sources of life.

The world around us is cold and aggressive

lashing out and needing to control are the norm

yet you call us to gather around your table.

For you have set a table with deep love

feeding us daily with hope and renewed strength

healing the world and giving us all new hearts. Amen.