Wednesday, April 6

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Psalms 101, 109, 119:121-144

Romans 8:1-11

John 6:27-40

John 6:27-40

In this reading is one of Jesus’ most profound “I am” statements … “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Continually during his ministry, making these seemingly outrageous pronouncements about himself led to his being crucified.

But bread is so basic to our lives; perhaps that is why Jesus referenced it so often. Just prior to this “I am” statement the feeding of the 5,000 occurred where bread and fish were the meal to feed all those who came to hear and to see Jesus who knew both their physical and spiritual hunger. And we all know the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert for so many years, desperately hungry at one point, and God provided “bread from Heaven,” manna, to feed and restore both body and soul, renewing their faith to continue to journey to the promised land.

Today, at Holy Communion, we are also fed “bread from Heaven,” refreshing, restoring, and nourishing us. When we reach out for the bread, God is also reaching out to us. For me, the prayer of humble access says it best: “We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under they table. But thou are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us.”

Virginia McGarvey