Let Us Break Bread Together

Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees)

Let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees)

When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees, (on our knees)

Let us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees)

When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees)

Let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees)

When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,

O Lord, have mercy on me.

            In the past year I have probably heard the song “Break Bread Together” about once or twice a week. But what does it really mean to break bread together? I have broken bread almost every Sunday since I made my first communion in the second grade. I have shared my faith and the scriptures with others. I go to church, a lot.  I have traveled to places in and out of the States. But when have I truly broken bread with the people around me.

            It was not until a Chuukese wedding reception and a little advice from the book “The Irrestible Revolution” I came to realize what breaking bread was actually about. Sitting in the middle of my students and a couple fellow teachers eating rice, breadfruit, taro, lobster, shrimp, and sharing cans of root beer I noticed for the first time it was not just about culture. I have done the eating with my hands and sharing everything on plate for a good year. But it was about breaking bread, literally. When we eat together, share food and drinks, its not only about filling our tummies, its about being a part of a community. Not only a community of Xavier students and staff, but a community of Christians, standing together, sharing our lives.

            We didn’t need a church, a homily, or even a priest. We didn’t need a big show or even gospel music. It was simple. It was Jesus, who turned a couple pieces of bread and fish into a meal for everyone. And it was Jesus who ate bread and wine at His last supper. He was not a man who ate feasts of food or dined in the best places. He broke bread with His followers. He ate simple meals. Looking around on Saturday night at the wedding, I noticed the meal in front of us. There was plenty of food to feed everyone, but it was simple. Rice, taro, fish, shrimp, pig, breadfruit, potato salad. Simple things from the land and the sea. Simple things Jesus may have eaten. Simple foods, that bring a community together, and truly live out the gospel; sharing life and sharing Christ. A simple thing I have been lucky enough to experience. A simple thing, in a simple place, with everyday people, that has continued to teach me more about the gospel and Jesus than any church ever has.