Here’s the reading for this week – from the Book of Exodus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe Lord said to Moses, \u201cI have heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them that at twilight they will have meat to eat, and in the morning they will have all the bread they want. Then they will know that I, the Lord, am their God.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the evening a large flock of quails flew in, enough to cover the camp, and in the morning there was dew all around the camp. When the dew evaporated, there was something thin and flaky on the surface of the desert. It was as delicate as frost. When the Israelites saw it, they didn’t know what it was and asked each other, \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moses said to them, \u201cThis is the food that the Lord has given you to eat. The Lord has commanded that each of you is to gather as much of it as he needs, two litres for each member of his household.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Israelites did this, some gathering more, others less. When they measured it, those who gathered much did not have too much, and those who gathered less did not have too little. Each had gathered just what he needed. Moses said to them, \u201cNo one is to keep any of it for tomorrow.\u201d But some of them did not listen to Moses and saved part of it. The next morning it was full of worms and smelled rotten, and Moses was angry with them. Every morning each one gathered as much as he needed; and when the sun grew hot, what was left on the ground melted.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve been thinking about bread over the last couple of weeks. Not the type you bake – although I do think about that as well! Bread as a symbol for something more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the beginning of Lent we thought about Jesus going into the wilderness to spend time away – time with God. After 40 days he was famished. We\u2019re told that he was then tempted – \u2018If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into loaves of bread\u2019. Jesus responds, \u2018 Man doesn\u2019t live on bread alone, but one every word that comes from the mouth of God.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve been wondering if instead of this being a battle to face down the temptation of hunger, Jesus is instead just swatting away this annoying devilish voice, because he\u2019s been feasting on God\u2019s presence for the last 40 days. I\u2019ve been writing a haiku – a little poem – every day in Lent, and I wrote this one about the encounter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nice try, but I\u2019m fine.
No need for stone ground - my food
is his every word.<\/pre>\n\n\n\nOur bodies need bread, food, to stay alive. But to be fully alive we need a different sort of bread – bread for our souls – spiritual food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yesterday, in the Lent emails I\u2019ve been getting, Brian Draper talked about that line in the Lord\u2019s Prayer, \u2018Give us this day our daily bread.\u2019 That can mean \u2018give us everything we need for life – food, water, shelter, relationships\u2026\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But our daily bread might also include what we need for our souls – a connection with God and in some way, his word for us each day, as guidance, inspiration, comfort, challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brian then talked about the meaning of the word \u2018daily\u2019. It\u2019s a translation of a Greek word which appears nowhere else in ancient writing apart from the gospels. So there are other possible translations. The line might actually mean \u2018Give us today our bread for our being\u2019 – the bread of life, food for the soul. And it could mean \u2018give us just enough bread for today\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That connects with the story that we heard earlier is about the Israelites, wandering in the desert, hungry, and God giving them the food they need – this strange flaky stuff they called. But they could only gather enough for each day. If they tried to gather extra for the next day as well, it went off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So maybe there is an invitation for us to trust that we will be given the spiritual food that we need each day: the strength, the grace, the guidance and inspiration that we need. And we don\u2019t need to chase it or worry about it. Like the manna, it will be given when we need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can easily become anxious about what is coming up and whether I will have the resources to deal with it, whether I will have the strength or the wisdom or the words I need. Lent may be a time for learning to pray more fully and trustingly: \u2019Give us this day our daily bread\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLoving God, help us to put our trust in you. We think about the needs of our life – our material needs and concerns, the needs we share with those close to us, our needs for loving relationships, for fulfilling work, for rest\u2026 In all of this, Father, give us each day our daily bread<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loving God, when we are anxious about the future, help us to believe that you will be with us in every situation, that you will give us the spiritual resources that we need at the right time. Father, give us each day our daily bread \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loving God, as we think of Jesus delighting in your presence and your living word, grow in us a deeper longing for you, for your life and love. Father, give us each day our daily bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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