Break Now the Bread of Life (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 515)
1 Break now the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
as once you broke the loaves beside the sea.
Beyond the sacred page I seek you, Lord;
my spirit waits for you, O living Word.
2 Bless your own word of truth, dear Lord, to me,,
as when you blest the bread by Galilee.
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
and I shall find my peace, my All-in-All!
3 You are the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
your holy word the truth that rescues me.
Give me the eat and live with you above;
teach me to love your truth, for you are love.
Text: John Cawood; Music: J. Day; Public Domain
Devotion
I love to sing hymns, and although like most people I have my favorites, I also enjoy the challenge of finding and learning “new to me” hymns. Reading through this hymn text as the poem it is helps me to see the message in a new way. So many times I just sing along without really reading and absorbing the words.
In the words by Mary A. Lathbury I read reminders of God’s great abundance. It’s not just a time for me to remember God’s gifts of things or people, but to remember the gift of God’s word in my life. God’s abundance comes in many forms, and this writer sees them all as blessings, especially God’s gift of the Son, Jesus Christ, and through him God’s word of life and hope. These words of life are words of rescue from whatever is holding us down, whatever fears may be holding us back from seeing God’s grace and mercy.
Prayer
God of life and freedom, thank you for your words of truth. Let me share your good news with those I meet today through my actions of love and kindness. Amen.