Buy the Bread

A Reflection on the First Reading for August 2nd, 2020:
The Solemnity of the Angels of Portiuncula

---

Isaiah
55.1-3

Thus says the Lord:
“Everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.

“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labour for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.

“Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.”
​

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy?"

I remember my first credit card. It was from Sears Canada and oh was I excited! It felt like a rite of passage, such independence! I quickly spent to the limit—all $500 was gone in no time. Then Sears graciously increased that limit so I could continue to exert my independence. Long story short, when Phil and I got married it was the only debt we had, about $2000 owed to Sears Canada. Now I must admit it wasn’t all loss. I am still using the iron and ironing board bought with that borrowed money 28 years later!

When I read this passage from Isaiah, the first thing that came to my mind was how much money I’ve spent over the years trying to satisfy some desire. Sometimes it was the desire for companionship. Other times the desire for self worth or the desire to be loved. Whatever the desire was, it could never be fulfilled with “stuff” no matter how much money I spent. When my spending began to cause problems in my marriage I had to take a closer look at what was really going on in my heart. The “why” of my actions was hard to look at but I realized that no matter how much I spent or labored none of it was real “bread”, and none of it filled the holes in my heart for more than a few fleeting moments. 

Jesus is the real “bread”. Only He can truly satisfy us. Now when I slip back into a pattern of unhealthy “spending” I stop and take a good look at what longing I am trying to satisfy and ask Jesus to put His abundant desires for me in place of the inadequate desires I have for myself. 
I pray you can do the same.


Let us pray:

Lord God, I desire to listen carefully to You and eat what is good. Help me to recognize when the patterns of my behavior are showing me that I need to turn to You, the only one who can truly satisfy.




Maxine Brown

---