Bread Of Life
32 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. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 35 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. (John 6:32-35)
God is great and God is good, and we thank him for our food. By his hands we all are fed. Give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen
Thanksgiving celebrations across the U.S. will be kicked off with children reciting that prayer as extended family listen and smile. Many of us learned this childhood prayer - or grace - without considering the significance of the words we were saying. By God's hands we all are fed. Rather we find ourselves surrounded by family of blood or choice, or at a table for one, it's God's hand that sustains our lives. Meager fare and extravagant feasts
are blessed the same.
We also approach the first Sunday in the season of Advent - where we commemorate the initial expectant waiting for the birth of the One who is our savior, as we also endeavor to pursue God's kingdom on earth. This is an active waiting. We get to participate in this coming kingdom. When we become the hands through which the hungry are fed, and give voice to those without status or station, God's kingdom is near.
We must acknowledge that the origins of this time of thanksgiving were not pure and wholesome, but victimized a native population that may never recover from the devastation caused by those claiming discovery of an already populated land. While many gather to celebrate the blessings of family, and home, and safety, others look around and only see destruction and devastation. May our doors and our tables always be open to those whose hands and hearts seem empty. Only together will we experience true bounty and true Advent.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5)
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