the bread that feeds the hunger it meets,
Sunday’s gospel has stayed with me and in my prayer, as it does tonight…
As a visual aid for our reflection, here’s the scene from The Chosen where Jesus feeds the 5,000…
You fed so many
– they say there were thousands –
you fed so many
who were so hungry
and you fed them, Lord,
from five barley loaves and a couple of fish
– which you yourself
had begged and borrowed
from a young boy just passing by…
Now thousands, millions
and even billions
still hunger, Lord,
every day, every night…
We’re starving
for food to nourish us,
to feed and sustain
our bodies and souls,
our minds and our hearts…
We’re hungry for food
to keep us alive,
to help us grow
and even to flourish
to become the people
you made us to be,
to care for the world
entrusted to us…
We hunger, Lord, for the bread of life:
the bread of mercy, wisdom and truth,
the bread that feeds our deepest desires,
the bread that nourishes joy in our grief,
the bread that heals a wounded soul,
the bread that mends a broken heart,
the bread that tastes of freedom and peace,
the bread of peace for all to share,
the bread, when broken, that makes us one,
the bread that reconciles each with all,
the bread that makes us one with you
the Bread of Life, broken for us
that we might have life everlasting…
Yes, we’re hungry for food, Lord,
to keep us alive,
to help us grow
and even to flourish
to become the people
you made us to be,
to care for the world
you entrusted to us
and in return
to give you thanks
and to praise you
day by day…
Protect us, Lord while we’re awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace…