In today's readings we hear a lot about bread. In the passage from Deuteronomy we hear the story of Moses talking to the people who he's led through the wilderness for 40 years. He recalls that God provided for them during their journey so that they always had enough to eat, including manna which rained down from heaven. Moses reminds the people that because the LORD provided for their needs they should keep the commandments of the LORD and walk in the LORD's ways so that they will live and flourish.  

Likewise in the Gospel reading from John we hear Jesus teaching in the synagogue. Jesus says "I am the bread of life."  I am the one who you need in order to live and to flourish and to have eternal life.

The metaphor of bread carried great meaning for the people to whom Jesus was speaking in the temple. It was, in fact, their ancestors who told stories of the God who provided this miracle of manna every night during the forty years they were in the wilderness.  This manna was life giving; it provided nourishment; there was always enough; it couldn't be hoarded or it would spoil; it was more than what it appeared; it was a gift from God. 

So Jesus is saying some pretty amazing things about himself.  He's saying he is more important then the manna that is so closely linked to the survival of these men in the temple.  Can you imagine their confusion and questioning?  ‘Who is this boy, this Jesus, whose parents we know?  How can he claim to be the "living bread from heaven that will allow us to live forever", and how dare he speak of our ancestors in this way!  He doesn't know what he's saying.'

Yet Jesus persists after he tells them to stop complaining.  "I am the bread that came down from heaven.  Whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." 

Bread of life - life giving nourishment, always enough, it can't be hoarded; it is more than what it appears and is a gift from God.

A few years ago I served as a mentor for EFM - Education for Ministry.  This four-year program combines study of the Bible, Church History and Theology with a process called theological reflection - discerning God's presence in our lives.