Bread that comes from heaven

CatholicAnchor.org
During my time living in Anchorage I would often frequent a local bakery to purchase my weekly loaf of Italian bread.

Already from the parking lot, the aroma of bread baking would tell me instinctively that I was approaching an emporium where bread and its preparation is taken seriously. A group of young adults have found a vocation that they treasure. Even before I placed an order, one of the sales persons would invite me to taste their current creation: Vienna bread, perhaps, a small piece of fresh cinnamon roll dipped in honey or even their private variation of a mystery recipe from Croatia. I can personally assure you that you will find no finer gustatory experience than this. This bakery was like a shrine where those who appreciate the breads of the gods found gratification.

I have come to believe that bread, in whatever, shape, taste or form you may encounter it, is pure evidence of God’s transcendent care for the people of this hungry planet. The ways people of different ages and cultures have managed to harvest wheat, barley, rye or corn, thrash it, mix it with oil and yeast and turn it into a delectable morsel is nothing less than a divine exchange. No hungry person will disagree with that assertion. Bread is an invention of heaven.

If one searches the ancient, sacred texts, one will discover ample references to the bread from heaven. The account, for instance, of the mysterious manna that fed the Israelites in their nomadic desert drifting, is one such. Another is the journey of Elijah the prophet, who is prepared to abandon his 40-day sacred excursion to Mount Sinai, when, mysteriously, an angel from heaven supplies him with bread and water, sufficient to complete the sacred journey. Saved again!

Finally, in the Gospel of John for this Sunday, we find the strange promise of Jesus: “I am the living bread come down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he shall live forever.” For the Jews hearing those words, it must have sounded blasphemous or scandalous at best.

Whether considering these three accounts in their literal or allegorical sense, there is a biblical truth that bread, human sustenance for the planet, comes from above, from a divine source. Who, for instance, is responsible for the great mystery of plant growth on this planet? Where did it start, how did it come about? Who or what caused life to germinate and grow? Divine action is the only answer.

Referring once again to Jesus’ teaching that he is “the living bread come down from heaven,” is it not evident, at least to thoughtful people, that the words of Jesus Christ, along with his promise of the Eucharist, the bread from heaven, have nourished people of faith for centuries?

When one begins to reflect deeply on all this, it is evident that all the humans who have ever existed on this planet are indebted to the God who provides life, hope and the assurance that they are loved into life each blessed day.

It never occurred to me at the time but it would have been interesting to share these thoughts on bread from heaven with the folks at the Anchorage bakery, but I’m sure they would have said: “Hey, we see all this happening every day! Bread from heaven, right?”

Scriptures for Aug. 9

1 Kings 19: 4-8

Ephesians 4: 30-5: 2

John 6: 41-51

The writer formerly served the Anchorage Archdiocese as director of pastoral education. He now lives in Notre Dame, Indiana.