Daily Meditation for April 21, 2026

Historically, we can trace the production and consumption of bread to over 20 thousand years ago—when wheat was domesticated in ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Greece. Sometimes called the “staff of life”, bread is a staple of human life. So it should be no surprise that in John’s Gospel, he quotes Jesus proclaiming himself the bread of life, available to all. When Jesus says He is the bread come down from heaven, He reveals himself as our spiritual nourishment, as necessary to us as our physical food. Jesus’ audience is puzzled over this statement. But bread is so central to most of our meals that Jesus’ reference to Himself as bread is central to our belief and faith in Him. The ancient Israelites ate manna in the desert, but in the end they all died. Jesus alone is the source of unending life.

By Carol Berg, OSB