If you were in church Sunday (Sept. 2) you had communion. I was in Chapel Hill at Catherine's church and we also broke bread together at the communion table. In today's world there is discussion about what kind of bread to use, some even want a Gluten Free option. We have that luxury. Back in Jesus' day, bread was a staple, it was a complete necessity. We can't possibly understand its importance because we have choices. We can even chose not to eat bread if we are watching our figure.
But the very city of Bethlehem is named "House of Bread," which shows its significance during that time period. It was also an important symbol of Jesus' invitation to eat with him. In the book of Luke alone there are 22 references to Jesus eating with others. Ninety percent of the people were poor, so they relied on bread and Jesus to sustain them. Bread was also a sacrament, just as it is today. Bread was coveted and particularly sacred then, but it is important that we are reminded just how special and significant it is now.
So when you go to school or work today and others say why do you have Prayer Breakfast share with them it is because we recognize this is a staple for starting our day with God, we acknowledge it as a symbol of Jesus' love for us and we honor the sacrament of breaking bread together as an important discipline. He believed in it then and wants us to continue it now.
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24
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