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The Bread of Life
By Diane M. Houdek
Source: Bringing Home the Word
Published: Sunday, July 29, 2012

The story of the multiplication of loaves is told in all four Gospels. It’s not surprising, then, that a story that echoes this event would be found in the stories of Francis’s life. Thomas of Celano tells of this incident shortly after the first of Francis’s followers joined him in his radical commitment to a gospel life: “The day was far spent and the hour was already late. They came then to a desert place, greatly fatigued from their journey and hungry, but they could find no refreshment because that place was far removed from any dwelling of men. Immediately, the grace of God providing, a man met them bearing in his hand some bread, which he gave them and departed. But they did not know him and they wondered in their hearts and devoutly admonished one another to place even greater trust in the divine mercy.” Such graces came to Francis because of his own willingness to share what he received with those who were beggars by circumstance rather than choice. Jesus always reminds his disciples to give away what they themselves have received. May we take that message to heart as we reflect on the bread of life.

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