Thich Nhat Hahn, Zen Buddhist Master, teaches about inter-connectivity, that all things on Earth are interdependent, that one can't exist without the other.
Bread. The grain for flour must grow: fertile earth, water and sunlight. Born from a single seed, it must be nourished as a crop if there will be enough seeds to make the flour. The seeds must be ground by someone to create flour. With the flour one must mix water. Some salt is also necessary: a mine, gathered from the sea? And some yeast, bacteria, microscopic life-forms, which will allow the bread to rise: a culture often treasured by bakers. These ingredients do not simply combine by circumstance, thus human hands must combine them, kneed them, build the oven and fire to heat the dough and make the bread. Presently, most bread is bought from a baker in a shop, delivered by a driver, through a distribution centre. This is why we give thanks for that which nourishes our bodies and is delicious.
"Sir, give us this bread always."
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst" (Jn 6:34-35)
We may count our blessings if we have daily bread to eat (for not everyone does), a healthy body is important. But no matter how healthy the body, if the mind is corrupt and void of compassion, all nutrition will be in vain. Jesus reminds us that there is more to life than just want the body needs. As i mentioned in my last blog, an animal needs good nutrition too, but knows no unconditional love, no loving-kindness, no grace and no forgiveness. These are the qualities that Christ has come to give us as a gift. He is the bread. He is the wine. Always with us to feed us with His Wisdom and Compassion, to fortify us when we are weak, to nourish our deeds and share in our own mercy. May we daily break bread with him and give thanks.
Deo gratias.
Bread. The grain for flour must grow: fertile earth, water and sunlight. Born from a single seed, it must be nourished as a crop if there will be enough seeds to make the flour. The seeds must be ground by someone to create flour. With the flour one must mix water. Some salt is also necessary: a mine, gathered from the sea? And some yeast, bacteria, microscopic life-forms, which will allow the bread to rise: a culture often treasured by bakers. These ingredients do not simply combine by circumstance, thus human hands must combine them, kneed them, build the oven and fire to heat the dough and make the bread. Presently, most bread is bought from a baker in a shop, delivered by a driver, through a distribution centre. This is why we give thanks for that which nourishes our bodies and is delicious.
"Sir, give us this bread always."
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst" (Jn 6:34-35)
We may count our blessings if we have daily bread to eat (for not everyone does), a healthy body is important. But no matter how healthy the body, if the mind is corrupt and void of compassion, all nutrition will be in vain. Jesus reminds us that there is more to life than just want the body needs. As i mentioned in my last blog, an animal needs good nutrition too, but knows no unconditional love, no loving-kindness, no grace and no forgiveness. These are the qualities that Christ has come to give us as a gift. He is the bread. He is the wine. Always with us to feed us with His Wisdom and Compassion, to fortify us when we are weak, to nourish our deeds and share in our own mercy. May we daily break bread with him and give thanks.
Deo gratias.
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