Ordinary Time

Pause

“‘A loaf of bread,’ the Walrus said, ‘is what we chiefly need.’”

Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass, 1871

Listen

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole Israelite community, ‘Come near to the Lord, because he’s heard your complaints.’” As Aaron spoke to the whole Israelite community, they turned to look toward the desert, and just then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared in the cloud.

The Lord spoke to Moses, “I’ve heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat. And in the morning you will have your fill of bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

In the evening a flock of quail flew down and covered the camp. And in the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the desert surface were thin flakes, as thin as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” They didn’t know what it was.

Moses said to them, “This is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

Exodus 16:9-15

Think

In the Netflix original series House of Cards, ruthless politician Frank Underwood sums up his life philosophy saying, “I have no patience for useless things.” What a beautiful image for the exact opposite of who God is!

In Exodus 16, God is on a mission to recreate the community that shines as a light to all other nations. God delivered Israel from oppression in Egypt and is about to give them the greatest commandments. The only problem is, everybody is starving and complaining. God knows it’s time to prove God’s self, but instead of cracking the whip, God sends delicious meat and manna for a feast right there in the desert!

God surprises us in the same way. You are deeply valuable to God, right this second, and God is sending you wonderful opportunities for life and wholeness today, not saving them for the finish line.

Open your eyes to the relationships and experiences around you that are ready to give you new life. They are bread from heaven. Eat your fill.

Blake Tommey

Pray

God, thank you for loving me just because I live and breathe. Even though you and I are on a mission, continue to send bread from heaven to give me life and wholeness every day. Open my eyes to the feast around me, in my friendships, family, and experiences, so that I can better glimpse your kingdom on earth. Amen.

Go

“Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.”

From “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” 1745, by William Williams