Living Bread, Broken
““This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.’” ”
In this week's Gospel reading, Jesus declares Himself to be the Bread of Life, a profound statement, linking the physical nourishment of our bodies with the spiritual sustenance of our souls. This metaphor draws us back to the Old Testament accounts of God's provision, particularly the manna in the wilderness, and forward to the Eucharistic feast that unites us as the Body of Christ.
The Ethiopic icon of the Last Supper beautifully captures the essence of this week's themes. In this vibrant and stylized depiction, we see Christ at the center, surrounded by His disciples. The icon's flat perspective and use of vivid colors typical of Ethiopian sacred art create a sense of timelessness, reminding us that Christ's provision transcends historical moments.
Notice how Jesus' hand is extended, offering the bread that symbolizes His body. This gesture of giving embodies God's abundant provision for His people. The disciples' expressions, though stylized, convey a mix of wonder and reverence, mirroring our own responses as we contemplate the profound mystery of Christ as our spiritual nourishment.
The icon's composition, with Christ at the center and the disciples gathered around Him, visually represents the unity of the Church - the body of believers nourished by the one Bread of Life. This image invites us to consider how our partaking in the Eucharist not only connects us to Christ but also to one another, breaking down barriers and fostering a deep sense of community.
As we reflect on this icon and the words of Jesus, we are called to recognize our dependence on God's provision, both physical and spiritual. We are reminded that in Christ, we find satisfaction for our deepest hungers and the strength to share God's abundance with others. May this image inspire us to approach the table of the Lord with gratitude, wonder, and a renewed commitment to embodying the unity and love that flow from our shared partaking of the Bread of Life
"Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
- Ephesians 5:2
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
Almighty God, give us the increase of faith, hope, and love; and, that we may obtain what you have promised, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 8:1–10
Psalm 34
Ephesians 4:17–5:2
John 6:37–51
Meeting in the Dreamlike Dance
“Du Vilar” is a recent poem, written by a Swedish hematologist Gunnar Birgegård and set to music by Sven David Sandström.
You rest so calmly in the breath of night.
In the gloom we shadows meet in dreamlike dance, melt together and now:
You rest so calmly in my heart, You, heartstill, delightful night wind.
Rest, my friend, my beloved, You.
Birgegård's poem offers a poignant meditation that resonates deeply with our contemplation of Christ as the Bread of Life. As the poem speaks of a calm, restful presence "in the breath of night," we are invited to find our rest and nourishment in Jesus, who sustains us with His very being.
The line "In the gloom we shadows meet in dreamlike dance, melt together" evokes the mystery of our communion with Christ and with one another through the Eucharist. As we partake of the bread and wine, we too "melt together" with Christ and His body, the Church. This unity transcends our individual experiences, creating a sacred dance of community and divine provision.
"You rest so calmly in my heart" mirrors the indwelling presence of Christ, the Bread of Life, within us. When we open ourselves to His nourishment, Christ takes up residence in our hearts, becoming our source of peace and sustenance. The "heartstill" moment parallels the profound stillness we can experience when we truly trust in God's provision and Christ's all-sufficient nourishment.
Finally, the closing line, "Rest, my friend, my beloved, You," reminds us of the intimate relationship we're invited into with Christ. As we feast on the Bread of Life, we're not just receiving physical or spiritual nourishment, but entering into a deep, personal communion with our Beloved. In this rest, this intimate space of being known and nourished, we find the strength to face the world's challenges and to share God's abundant love with others.
May we, like the poet, find our rest in the calm presence of Christ, allowing His life-giving nourishment to sustain us through the night and into the dawning of God's new day.
