Food for Thought

Hélène Schumacher once wrote an article for BBC where she suggested that the vocabulary we have acquired over the years actually helps us understand the world around us. However, we have become so familiar with the metaphors that are woven intricately into the tapestry of our language “we often don’t even notice them, but metaphors and similes help us think more deeply – and make sense of the world around us” ¹

We all have built up our own unique vocabulary and collection of favourite words and phrases. However, in using metaphorical language to enrich our conversations can raise it's own issues; if, for example, the listener doesn't understand the metaphor or simile, or if they take it literally – they run the risk of missing the point we were making.

My recent Blogs have been exploring the metaphor of 'Bread', for example. During my research for this particular Blog, I came across an article written by Peter Reinhart. Reinheart is both a baker of bread and also a master of metaphor. For him, bread is at the same time the “staff of life for our bodies” but also the “staff of life for our souls”.²

You will be aware that bread has been a staple food for centuries and has come to represent sustenance, nourishment, and survival. It has also accumulated many other associations. For example, it has been a symbol of comfort, community and sacrifice and has also been associated with plenty, poverty, redemption, temptation and transformation.³

Bread has also been a common symbol of comfort, and a symbol of communion – as found and used in the Christian Eucharist or Mass.

The “Sharing bread” or “Breaking of Bread” with family, friends or strangers has also been considered as an act of generosity and hospitality. When Jesus fed 5000 people with a boy's lunch is one example, and whether we take this Bible story literally, or prefer to see the boy's simple generosity of offering to Jesus his packed lunch, stimulated a similar wave of generosity amongst the crowd as they all began to share the food they had brought with those around them so everyone was fed⁴.

In many cultures Bread has become a symbol of life, growth, renewal and plenty–however it also has its dark-side when bread has been associated with hardship and oppression, as well as gluttony, greed, and excess. I wonder what association bread holds for you? And this is not a random question, because the word 'Bread' has been used as a metaphor throughout the history of humankind.

For example, it is a reoccurring theme in the early Hebrew writings where it occurs over 492 times and carries a deep spiritual significance and holding a wealth of symbolism. It particularly represents God’s provision, spiritual nourishment, salvation and forgiveness. We find it's importance woven into both the Jewish and Christian faiths, and is recorded within their respective sacred writings where bread served as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, grace, and provision; and we have been reflecting on this understanding, as presented to us by the author of John's Gospel, during the last few Blogs where we have been reflecting on the question: “What nourishes our life, what inspires my hearts' delight? What speaks to our soul? What inspires me, and enables me to experience the abundant life of which Jesus spoke?

Whether we choose to understand that promise physically or symbolically– in the end this week's reading from John 's Gospel (Ch 6:35, 41-51) reminds us of our dependence on God and God's continuous care for us.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

1https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200710-the-words-that-stretch-how-we-think

2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Reinhart

3https://edenbengals.com/what-does-bread-symbolize-in-literature/

4Matthew 14:13-21