Jesus is the Staple of Life

Proper14B, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Moses Lake by Sr. Annette Fricke, OP Jesus is the bread of life. As we sat and we talked a bit about this passage, this gospel text, I was keenly aware of those who would rather avoid this text and others very focused on the “complaining.” Still another of the sisters in my order said quite clearly, “Jesus is the bread of life because he is a staple just like bread is a staple in many cultures.” I pondered those words as I sat down to eat something at the airport I never had before, might not have again. It was crawdad on a bed of rice, with 2 pieces of bread perched on top. I have led a very sheltered life having lived over sixty years of it in the state of Washington in four different places. New Orleans was a list of many new things including riding the streetcar to the restaurant that served turtle soup with a touch of sherry in it. I wondered what the answer would be for those who live in New Orleans. Would bread be the answer? By looking at the portion size of bread compared to rice and the fact that red beans and rice is a thing, I’d say no. Well, it could be a staple, but I think rice is used more. Both are starches and add carbohydrates to a dish. Carbohydrates are a source of energy. Carbohydrate-loading is or once was a thing that athletes have done before a big game or competition. According to the National Geographic Society, A food staple is a food that makes up the dominant part of a population’s diet. Food staples are eaten regularly—even daily—and supply a major proportion of a person’s energy and nutritional needs. I would argue that my family’s staple foods were bread, coffee, milk and eggs. Those were the items that were always kept in stock. Even after all of us kids were grown, those were the items always on the grocery list. They were considered necessary. Jesus is the bread of life. He is necessary every day for sustenance. He is the bigger portion of life for believers. What about office supplies? There are certain office supplies that are kept depending on what is demanded for organizing outlines for presentation handouts that people can take with them to use to remember details. There are both paper clips and staples. Which is most useful? Is it a staple or a paper clip? Do you want the papers secured tightly? Do you want to be able to take and use a collection of papers? Either way, you can take it with you. It no longer requires the internet once it’s printed out and organized. The power could go out, but we’d still have candles and prayer books and a piano. We’d still have access to worship. Paper would also be considered a staple. Even though we have computers and zoom meetings, paper and in person remain a good way to get through a meeting and has been around for many years. Paper, staples and paper clips are considered essential items. Jesus had only his thoughts to organize and present. He interacted with his disciples and the crowds. He got to know them in a very intimate way and used several illustrations as to what the kingdom of God is like. But to say that “I am the bread of life” is a more sweeping revelation as to why we should listen to what Jesus is saying. This tells us why Jesus himself is essential to our understanding of the relationship of Jesus to the God of Israel. It is essential that the people understand the connection, the fulfillment of the prophecies of previous generations of believers in the God of Abraham. Before the scriptures were written down, it was essential to use one’s memory to recall the stories of Jesus, to continue to talk about Jesus. The memory of Jesus is kept alive by telling the story of Jesus to those around us at places both inside and outside of church. Jesus himself is essential to the message. And Jesus is an example of not only storytelling but finding different ways to tell us about the kingdom of God. He tries several times to tell us what the kingdom of God is like. Storytelling was a staple for Jesus. It was meant for us to understand who Jesus is as God’s son. But what are we missing when we put that focus on Jesus? What does it mean to partake in the Eucharist which means “thanksgiving”? Doesn’t it also mean that in our giving thanks, we share with others? That we reach out to others in their time of need? That we give to people what God gives to us? Jesus confronts the people who appear to be following him just for the food. Beware of that banquet we partake in both Eucharist and coffee hour. There is more that is essential. God gives to us freely in Jesus, but we are to share that gift. We are not to complain so much that we become greedy with our resources or that Jesus does not always fill our every wish. Jesus says that there’s work to be done. It is essential that we share freely what we have with others. It is essential that we warmly welcome all to worship with us this Jesus who is the bread of life and to give from what we have. Jesus is more than food. Jesus is essential. It is essential to call on him and listen to him and share Jesus with others.