Bread for the Journey

Bread for the Journey

Bread for the Journey is the title of a book by Henri Nouwen. I was reminded of his book when watching a show on TV the other day. It was one of those programmes where a group of people are making a pilgrimage together.

The scenery, of course, is stunning, the bantering jocular, the participants are looking for something that is not necessarily their final destination, but rather that special something they discover about themselves and each other whilst traipsing along. Its great television and lots of fun.

At one of their stops they are greeted by a beaming, jovial monk who welcomes his visitors with affection, deference and grace. And then he proudly announces that he has a gift for them. What might it be? Perhaps a signed copy of his memoir, a set or rosary beads, a history of the monastery? No… Instead he hands around a bowl and each person takes out their gift. It is nothing more than a wisp of bread.

How ineffectual. What use could a small chunk of bread be to those who were hiking over great distances and burning energy as if there was no energy crisis?

Turns out, of course, that the bread and its size were both symbolic as all the very finest gifts are.

Bread is one of the oldest forms of sustenance that we have and is used universally to feed and strengthen. And the size… sometimes it is the smallest gesture of love… a smile, the sacrament, a look, a word, a hug, a card… in the twinkle of these minuscule things we are fed most lavishly and memorably. For our homework we might reflect on those crusts of bread that we have been offered and how we might offer the same sustenance to others.