Bread

The season of Lent is here. Some religions observe this by encouraging parishioners to make personal sacrifices, to give up something of importance to them. To give up chocolate, coffee, pizza, a certain TV show or sugar never really compared to Christ's suffering in my book, but I understand the reasoning behind it--to help us focus on Christ's real pain and suffering that He endured for us on the cross. I'll admit, I have 'participated' off and on through the years by giving up certain foods.

Six years ago during Lent, I gave up coffee. That was a toughie. One year not so long ago, my daughter gave up cheese. That was a HUGE sacrifice for her. This year I'm thinking about giving up bread. I've lost about 15 lbs. since last August and told myself that doing without bread would certainly aide my weight loss mission.

But I've had second thoughts.

Bread is the sustenance of life, the stable we all rush for when there's the threat of snowy weather. There are so many kinds of bread, so many dishes that include bread and who can resist homemade yeast rolls warm from the oven? Jesus and the disciples even had bread at their last meal together! Jesus wouldn't want me to give up bread, would he?

My mind wanders (imagine that) as I think of all the Biblical references and symbolisms of bread.

Manna, bread from heaven...

This is my body, given for you. Eat it in remembrance of me...

Man cannot live by bread alone...

Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees...

I am the bread of life...

And of course the story of Jesus feeding thousands with just five loaves of bread and two fish.

There are so many bread references in the Bible, so I've decided to not do without bread during Lent. In fact, I'm going to make sure I include more bread in my diet...but not the bread my body needs; the bread my soul needs.

"Without bread, all is misery."-- as quoted by William Cobbett, an English journalist from the 19th century.

And I believe him. Life without our daily bread--whether it be sustenance for the body or soul-- results in an anorexic life. Our bodies need food and water to survive--we all know that. So how long has it been since you've fed your soul? Given your life, your very being what it needs to be happy and thrive, not just survive?

There are many things in this life we can live without, but a life without love is a miserable one.

A life without God's salvation? Pure misery. A life without purpose and direction? More misery. A life without inner peace?-- Misery! A soul needs these ingredients just as bread needs yeast to rise. Why would you or I ever starve ourselves? Yet, day after day after day we wander in this life encircled in fear, doubt, lacking the self-confidence to go after what God has put before us, afraid to pursue the bread our hearts are crying out for.

Just as I prepare my supper tonight--enjoying the aroma of homemade bread in the oven--I will prepare myself for Lent by becoming vulnerable to others and God. It will be difficult, but I will ignore the 'calories' that are included when nurturing my soul--you know, the negativity, the naysayers--the weight of the world. If you long for a well-fed soul this Lent--a well-fed soul for Life--please pray this prayer with me:

Please God, nourish my soul with the inner peace and love it longs for, the divine direction and purpose You have willed for my life. As I feed upon your word and as I pray, help me to wait and listen patiently on You during this special time of Lent. Amen.