Journeying Often in these stories people are given sustenance to tide them over -- make it possible for them to go on just a bit longer. “Bread” in many forms, manna and quail, water from a rock, hearth cakes, a jug of water, the loaves and fishes. Songs and stories of home that feed the spirit and lend words of encouragement: “Eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” Then there are our journey stories, unwritten ones: moving from place to place, changing jobs, selling a home. Stories of putting down and pulling up roots. Or our spiritual journeys: struggles with personal growth, moving from old ways of communicating with God to new ones. Stories of those who’ve taken risks for a principle – or made foolish choices. Some of us may be wandering through a devastating illness, preparing for death or burying a loved one. Whether it’s a sick child, aging parents, a marriage on the rocks -- many of us journey through our own deserts, needing whatever refreshments we can find. As in written stories, so in these unwritten ones, there is sustenance to tide us over, to nourish us and bring us through the hard places. We need only to bring these stories of our journeys to the table of the Lord; to come in our own weariness for the songs and stories that feed us and allow us to get up and keep moving on. Finally, there are stories of others that eclipse our own; journeys in displacement from every basic thing life normally offers. Stories of refugee camps, of desperate people seeking food and shelter for themselves and their children, medicine for sick and elderly loved ones. In our own relatively stable society many people sojourn alone, often to life’s end, in a nursing home, a one-room apartment, or on the streets – making the words of Elijah their own: “This is enough, Lord”. The question for us in these journey stories is how will these sojourners be fed and nourished? Who will pull them through and make it possible for them to travel a little longer? Who will tell them stories of God who gives of His food – who whispers “Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you”? Perhaps reflecting on these stories of God feeding and nourishing the hungry will inspire and compel us to feed hungry mouths and spirits. Perhaps we can become living bread for others on their journeys; always remembering that when Jesus fed the multitudes He did not withhold bread from those lacking in virtue. Nor did He question their worthiness. Hunger was the only requisite. On that day sinners sat alongside saints, and the bread they shared became a bond between them. So it is with us as we gather at the Lord’s table – sinners unworthy of the gifts being received become one with the divine host, as well as with one another, by virtue of the bread we share. Perhaps generations yet unborn will tell stories of us, as people through whom God provided food and nourishment to those in need – giving them the strength to keep moving on. We could aspire to no greater legacy. We would love to hear from you. If you would like to share your thoughts on this article or topic, please send an email to religious@stshrine.org
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