“I am the bread of life” is the dramatic climax of today’s lectionary reading (John 6:24-35). 

 Bread —a simple word that often conjures up a wealth of images and memories for most people in the west. Often the most inviting sight in a supermarket is shelves full of different breads, often hard to resist. Or the aroma when walking past a bakery entices one to go in and buy bread. Or walking into the kitchen when I have been baking and the smell hits me — tempting to break off a small piece of cooling bread. 

 

There is nothing quite like the aroma of baking bread!

 

Bread has sustained humanity for millennia. It is not surprising then that it is mentioned often in religious texts. The focus of the gospel lectionary for the last two weeks has been bread (John 6) — the feeding of the five thousand, recalling the story of manna in the wilderness and this declaration by Jesus that he is the bread of life. Stories that are well-known, capturing the imagination of generations of readers. Stories that have both physical and spiritual implications.

 

Even the stories themselves sit in juxtaposition to each other and that, in itself, is worth pondering. How do the relate to and expand on each other.

 

Firstly, the recalling of manna in the wilderness — God providing food for hungry people out of nothing earthly for an extended period of time. Although, I’m not focusing on it today, the story makes interesting reading about care and sustenance.

 

Secondly, the feeding of the many thousands of people. In this story, people are not fed out of nothing, but fed from the giving of the five loafs — an oft overlooked part of the story is the generosity of the child who gave up their picnic to share with others. Bread was multiplied and all were fed and satisfied.

 

Thirdly, Jesus uses the metaphor of bread to declare that he is the bread that will satisfy and sustain life.

 

And, although it is not part of today’s lectionary, as we celebrate Eucharist today, bread will feature prominently as it does each week. A reminder, or enactment, of betrayal, death and ultimately new life. 

 

But today, I am not thinking about the details of each story but pondering the metaphor of bread used. 

 

Perhaps, today, my most notable observation is the huge compassion for those who were physically hungry. The pre-eminent concern in both the story of the feeding of the five thousand and the gift of manna was ensuring everyone got enough to eat. It is important that no one went hungry that day, a point emphasized by showing that there was surplus.

 

Throughout the years in my work in schools and with foster children taking care of physical needs is often the priority. Hungry, hurting children and teenagers can’t think about anything else. They can’t learn when they are hungry. Well-being depends on their physical needs being met. Bread is needed!

 

I also know when I come home from teaching, or some other meeting, the first thing I do is put the kettle on. I take care of the physical need; only then can I focus on the myriads of tasks I need to do. 

 

In these stories in the gospel of John the physical needs are taken care of before the spiritual ones. Even the one who ultimately betrayed was fed before leaving. I find much to ponder in this idea. It is an important one. In many ways, it is a reversal of what is often taught about spirituality. It is only after people have been fed the texts turn to a spiritual application, of deep inner hungers being satisfied. 

 

So, I will continue to ponder these bread stories this week as I hold in tension the connection between them, the interplay of the physical and the spiritual.