WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY 2013
When You See Bread…Remember Jesus, the Bread of Life
Friday night, around 10pm, for the first time, I tried using the bread machine given to me by Barb 8 years ago when I was the pastor at First United Parish. I was so excited to try the bread mix I got from Market Basket. I followed the procedure—put 1-cup water, then the bread mix and then the yeast. I press the start button and then no. 3 for light crust and 1.5 lb. I waited for the beep, which signaled bread was done. It took more than three hours to make a simple white bread. How much more if it is challah, pumpernickel bread, sour dough, or cinnamon raisin?
All these different kinds of bread at the table remind me of the different churches around the world. We are different denominations but we are one in Christ. We are all the bread that sustains life in this world.
Bread in Hebrew is LEKHEM and unleavened bread is MATSAH, in Greek ARTOS. During the time of Jesus and even NOW, bread is eaten at every meal. At the time of Jesus, and I think even NOW, Bread, water and clothing are the basic human needs to sustain life.
When you see bread…remember God who provides for the food that we need everyday just like in the prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread. God provided for the Jews “manna” in the desert everyday for 40 years. Remember Jesus when he fed the hungry multitudes because a boy shared his five loaves of bread? Remember Jesus who satisfies our hunger for God.
When you see bread remember at the night of the Passover when Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples? Jesus breaks the bread symbolizing breaking the barriers, which inhibit people to live lives fully.
When you see bread…remember Jesus Christ who said, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus becomes the very substance that gives eternal life to those who ingest it. To us who take the bread and the cup, we take Christ with us. We received life as Jesus has promised-a life filled with love, filled with hope, and filled with courage.
Let me end with a quote from one of the mothers of our Christian faith-Teresa of Avila,” In the tiny piece of bread you revealed to me your grandeur and your purity. Since I am so wretched and filthy, I should have felt terrified of your presence. But instead, I felt comforted and reassured by the knowledge that you, the King of Kings, were about to give yourself in love to me. When you see bread, remember Jesus, who loved us first before we love him. When we see bread may we remember what Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you. Amen.
References: The New Interpreter’s Bible Dictionary, The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, The Harper Collins Book of Prayers, The Daily Study Bible Series & The Holy Bible
When You See Bread…Remember Jesus, the Bread of Life
Friday night, around 10pm, for the first time, I tried using the bread machine given to me by Barb 8 years ago when I was the pastor at First United Parish. I was so excited to try the bread mix I got from Market Basket. I followed the procedure—put 1-cup water, then the bread mix and then the yeast. I press the start button and then no. 3 for light crust and 1.5 lb. I waited for the beep, which signaled bread was done. It took more than three hours to make a simple white bread. How much more if it is challah, pumpernickel bread, sour dough, or cinnamon raisin?
All these different kinds of bread at the table remind me of the different churches around the world. We are different denominations but we are one in Christ. We are all the bread that sustains life in this world.
Bread in Hebrew is LEKHEM and unleavened bread is MATSAH, in Greek ARTOS. During the time of Jesus and even NOW, bread is eaten at every meal. At the time of Jesus, and I think even NOW, Bread, water and clothing are the basic human needs to sustain life.
When you see bread…remember God who provides for the food that we need everyday just like in the prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread. God provided for the Jews “manna” in the desert everyday for 40 years. Remember Jesus when he fed the hungry multitudes because a boy shared his five loaves of bread? Remember Jesus who satisfies our hunger for God.
When you see bread remember at the night of the Passover when Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples? Jesus breaks the bread symbolizing breaking the barriers, which inhibit people to live lives fully.
When you see bread…remember Jesus Christ who said, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus becomes the very substance that gives eternal life to those who ingest it. To us who take the bread and the cup, we take Christ with us. We received life as Jesus has promised-a life filled with love, filled with hope, and filled with courage.
Let me end with a quote from one of the mothers of our Christian faith-Teresa of Avila,” In the tiny piece of bread you revealed to me your grandeur and your purity. Since I am so wretched and filthy, I should have felt terrified of your presence. But instead, I felt comforted and reassured by the knowledge that you, the King of Kings, were about to give yourself in love to me. When you see bread, remember Jesus, who loved us first before we love him. When we see bread may we remember what Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you. Amen.
References: The New Interpreter’s Bible Dictionary, The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, The Harper Collins Book of Prayers, The Daily Study Bible Series & The Holy Bible
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