When I was little, the church my family attended had the tradition of congregation members baking bread to be used for communion. My Dad was known for his bread making. People would literally get excited when they saw his name in the bulletin as next week’s bread baker. So, one year, it was my Dad’s turn to make the communion bread for Easter and he decided he would have a bit of fun. That week, instead of making his normal honey oatmeal loaf, he instead divided up the dough and colored each portion. He then wrapped them together to make a colorful spiral and wrapped uncolored dough around the outside, so that once it was baked it looked normal. The time came for communion and the pastor lifted the loaf of bread, blessed it and broke it to reveal the hidden swirl of color inside.

In John 6:35, Jesus says “I am the bread of life.” What better illustration of the bursting forth of life at creation than the bursting forth of color in this communion bread. As we continue our walk through Holy Week remember that God always shows up, oftentimes in surprising ways.

Good and gracious God, thank you for showing up in surprising ways. Help us to know we are blessed by you today and everyday. Amen!

Rita Argus, Seminarian, LCM Alumni ’14

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

-John 6:35