Being Bread

In the absence of the Eucharist during this pandemic, we are learning more what it means to be bread for one another in small ways and large.

Bread is nourishment. We can nourish each other by our words of encouragement and our smiles of greeting. "When someone says, "I hope you are feeling better" or "I'm so happy to see you!" don't we feel filled with good vibes? Or when someone lights up when we come into the room, it's like being fed with new energy.

Bread is also a staple of life. Most people cannot live without it. That's why Jesus came as bread. It is life-giving. We bring life to one another with the bread of compassion, the bread of kindness, the bread of hospitality. Through our listening to the lonely, offering hope to the downcast,  serving someone in need, we become life-bearers for others.

In addition, bread is a sign of communion, a sign of unity. We usually do not eat bread alone; we share it with others. It was when Jesus sat down and broke bread with the disciples on the road to Emmaus that he was revealed. "They recognized him in the breaking of the bread." (Lk 24:35 NIV ) And in Matthew, Jesus said: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." ( 18:20 NIV)

During this unusual time, we are called to be Eucharistic bread. Like bread, we will have to be kneaded, stretched, patted, formed. Becoming Eucharist for others will take effort, but God will show us what to do. All of us can be that for each other, not only during this crisis, but always.