Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu, otherwise now known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, once remarked: “In each of our lives, Jesus comes as the Bread of Life - to be eaten, to be consumed by us. This is how He loves us. Then Jesus comes in our human life as the hungry one, the other, hoping to be fed with the Bread of our life, our hearts by loving, and our hands by serving. In loving and serving, we prove that we have been created in the likeness of God, for God is Love and when we love we are like God. This is what Jesus meant when He said: “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” John 6:35 reminds us: 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.”
Everyone in life needs a staple food as a source of survival, whether it be bread, rice, noodles, potatoes, vegetables, or whatever the needs of our body require to sustain life. Specific staples are common to particular regions in the world. Corn is predominant as a major food source in Africa, Europe, and the United States of America. Rice is regarded as equally important from Asia to Latin America and Africa. Wheat originated in the Middle East, but is now produced extensively in China, France, India, Russia, and The United States. The list is not exhaustive. Exodus 16:4 confirms: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.”
There is always an open invitation to join Jesus at His dining table, wherever that may be. He will feed us spiritually and satisfy our needs. He will quench our thirst. It could be anywhere, on a bus, on a train on a desert island, or even walking down the street. Until we come to know Jesus in our minds and hearts, we lack the essential nutrients of life to fulfill our hunger. John 6:1 states: “After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
In addition to the wonder of Jesus, the internet is known to serve as another source of supply for our private and business needs. However, just as some foods can be harmful or damaging if we do not take the appropriate care, in a synonymous way, so can the internet. The internet, as it is commonly referred to, has been in existence since the 1960s, primarily as an initial gateway for government researchers to share information with one another, albeit on a somewhat limited basis. However, January 1st, 1983 has since been designated as the official birthday of the internet and from that time, gradual progression and innovations have increased its capabilities to the present comprehensive facilities and future endless possibilities that it now affords. Luke 12:2 warns: “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”
On the 6th of August 1991, the World Wide Web was officially born for the intended benefit of the entire world. Some thirty years later, for many people, it is hard to imagine what life was like before its conception.
1 John 2:15-17 warns: ”Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
The internet is considered an extremely powerful tool. In today’s technological age, it is common practice to use it on a daily basis. Some people become reliant upon it. However, it has both good and bad ramifications. On the positive side, it provides food for thought and enhances learning. It quenches the thirst for knowledge. It provides ease of communication. Many people find it invaluable in their day-to-day private and business dealings around the globe. Many search engines have been introduced and enhanced to aid the speed and accuracy of gleaning information on any particular subject that is being researched. Boredom and dissatisfaction for some have been virtually eliminated with many sites offering the facility to watch videos, play games, or listen to music. Many lonely people have even found romance or friendship through designated dating sites.
Buying goods are now of particular ease with many choices and differing prices to invoke competition between traders. Instant banking is now considered an essential and secure way to handle money and pay bills. The internet can effectively lower the operational cost for some businesses as they can now perform many of the mundane tasks electronically rather than the need to rent costly offices for manual consummation.
However, on the adverse side, it has become a breeding ground, which continues to grow, for unscrupulous people intent on deception or fraud. Although restrictions are in place to help prevent children from gaining access to undesirable or harmful sites, there are still ways for those determined enough to avoid the installed precautions. No system is infallible. Social media sites are appealing to many as a source of communication and contact. However, care needs to be taken to avoid the general vulnerability against the dangers inherent in the possible invasion of privacy or identity theft. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 reminds us: "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you, yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” Pain can be inflicted on some who unwittingly fall foul of predators intent on funding their own avaricious lifestyle at the expense of others. 2 Corinthians 2:1-5 states: “For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure - not to put it too severely - to all of you.”
Amen.
