In the Broken Bread

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Originally uploaded by Gregg Brekke.

This week marked the end of Nexus Church's book study on "The Heart of Christianity" by Marcus Borg. Our loyal group of five participants discovered a lot of wonderful things about the person of Jesus, how we as 'progressives' fit in the world, and our need to continue on as a prophetic and grace-filled voice of Christianity to a world struck by fear.

Two participants were unable to make this final night so Warren and Judy Waldron and I met at Panera Bread.  We arrived sort of late in the evening and as I paid for coffee and treats the clerk asked if I wanted a free baguette.  They were clearing the shelves for the evening so I said sure and took it to our table.

In our closing devotion we were asked to consider the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.  When Jesus broke bread their eyes were opened and they knew who he was.  In hospitality and unfettered grace Jesus was fully revealed...

Looking at one another we concluded that breaking the baguette and sharing it among us would be the last sacramental act of our group.  In the near silence of the closed Panera Bread store we broke bread and each felt the presence of Jesus with us - looking toward the new ways we would see Jesus in the world and be amazed by how he was there with us all along.