March 11, 2005	Read Luke 1:46-56
“He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent away the rich empty-handed.”
NOT BY BREAD ALONE During this past year, the news media have covered stories of hunger in many parts of the world. People hunger in the drought-stricken areas of Africa, in the Asian islands struck by tsunamis, in Pakistan where earthquakes leveled villages, and in our own Gulf states in the wake of this summer’s hurricanes. The Bible tells us to feed the hungry, and various fund-raising efforts have sought to alleviate pain and suffering. But the hunger persists. If God has “filled the hungry with good things,” why is there still so much hunger? Is it food alone for which we hunger? Does not humanity share an even deeper hunger? Do we not hunger for an abiding relationship with God? The Old Testament tells us in Deuteronomy 8:3, “…man does not live by bread alone, but … by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.” The beatitudes tell us in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Jesus himself tells us in John 6:33-35: “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world … I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” God has prepared for each of us a place at the table, where he fills our hungering souls with the Bread of Life – his beloved son, Jesus, who gave his life for our sins that we might live as the forgiven children of God. Gracious Lord, you have told us that man does not live by bread alone. Please make us very hungry for your Holy Word. Amen. Marjorie E. Bender

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