DAY 8 The Beggar, The Baker, and The Bread

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger…” John 6:35

A beggar was dying from hunger. He tried different kinds of bread but they did not help. He also realized all the breads he tried so far were in fact killing him. So he went to this shiny bakery on a hill and asked the first person that greeted him  ‘I want bread’ – a simple three word request - because he knew he was dying of hunger.

‘How wise you are,’ the greeter assured him. ‘And you have come to the right bakery. All you need is our bread. In fact, the whole world needs our bread.’  And the greeter said ’I will introduce you to our baker’. On the way to the baker’s office the other bakery workers joined the greeter. They all told the beggar about the holy and venerated institute that the baker attended. They also described the baker’s dazzling white outfits and how he wore the right seasonal colors to accentuate the white outfits.

The baker warmly greeted the beggar and applauded him on his choice of the bakery.  The baker then pulled his cookbook of life down from a pedestal – he had to strain to reach it – you see the cookbook of life was placed on a high pedestal so everyone could see how the baker adored the cookbook.  Then the baker had to dust off the cookbook off a little bit, because the baker only used the cookbook when others were around. In fact the “smart” baker was using his own modified and better recipes.  The baker “knew” his own recipes were better than those in the cookbook. Then the baker began to tell the beggar all he knew about bread. Meanwhile the greeter and the workers from the bakery gathered around and kept on repeating ‘yes it is great bread – we have great bread.’

The baker spoke of recipes of flour made from wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and spelt.  The workers were impressed at his knowledge – he had the cookbook of life open in his hands and he was not looking at it. He was reciting his own recipes. The baker was impressed with his recitation of the recipes.  The baker was also overjoyed at the adulation and praise showered on him by all the workers. But when he looked at the beggar, the baker was startled to see that the beggar was not smiling. When the baker looked at him, the beggar said ‘I want bread.’

‘You are a wise man,’ the baker said. He again applauded the beggar’s choice of the bakery. ‘Follow me, and I’ll give you a tour of our bakery.’ Down the hallowed halls he took the baker pointing the portraits of the bakers before him, occasionally stopping to point out the rooms where the flour is measured, where the water is purified, where the colorful bread wrappers are printed and rooms with ovens.

‘No other bakery has our facilities.’ The baker said ‘we have bread for to satisfy all needs and hunger. As the cookbook says ‘They shall hunger no more.’ ‘But this the best part of the bakery,’ the baker proclaimed, admiring his own voice and repeated the words, ‘But this the best part of the bakery,’ then he pushed open two huge swinging doors and in a rather dramatic way said ‘This is our meeting room of inspiration.’ And of course all the workers applauded.

The baker and the workers were overcome by emotion as they stepped into the meeting room full of luxurious new carpeting. The seating was made from the best wood on earth and the cushions were plush and colorful. The sun shining brightly showed off the beautiful stained glass windows. The beggar did not say a single word. The baker and the others had seen that type of reaction before. The baker hugged the beggar and said soft tone ’I understand. All of us are overwhelmed when we enter this meeting room.’ 

Then the baker raced to the podium and struck his favorite pose behind the lectern. ‘People come from miles to hear me speak. Once a week my workers gather, and I read to them recipes from the cookbook of life.’ By now the beggar had taken a seat on the front row. The baker knew what he wanted. ‘Would you like to hear me?’ ‘No,’ the beggar said, ‘but I am dying and I would like some bread.’

‘How wise you are,’ The baker replied. And he led him to the front door of the bakery. ‘What I tell you is very important,’ he told him as they stood outside. ‘Up and down this street you will find many bakeries. But be careful; they don’t have the true bread. I know of one who adds two spoons of salt rather than one. I know of another whose oven is three degrees too hot. Another uses the water incorrectly. They may call it bread,’ the baker warned, ‘but it’s not according to the cookbook of life.’

The beggar turned and began walking away. ‘Don’t you want bread?’ the baker asked him. He stopped, looked back, and shrugged, ‘I guess I lost my appetite.’

The baker and his workers were disappointed. ’What a shame,’ the baker said ‘The world just isn’t hungry for true bread anymore.’ The workers agreed.
They shook their heads and felt sorry for the beggar and others like him who needed the bread available at the bakery. Then they went to the meeting room to plan for the future and they discussed how to make the bakery more appealing to those hungry like the beggar.  

Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving me the true bread of life and help me to share the bread with others. In your son’s name I ask. Amen.

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