35. Human Need

"'For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' 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: 33-35

*****

All that we are yearns for you.

The needs you planted in us--food, clothing, shelter--

mere literary devices.

Metaphors we simple-mindedly

live into truths.

You made our bodies hungry so

we fatten them up or just get them by with a cup of meal,

having no idea that you made us need food

for dramatic effect--

to drive home the point that you are

the Bread of Life.

You made our bodies naked, and

whether haute couture or rags,

we slip them on

unwittingly playing out your point

that all our efforts won't match

God's clothing for the lilies or the grass in the field.

You made our bodies vulnerable so, cape cod or shanty,

We huddle together inside, not knowing that they are

constructions of yours, not ours,

movie sets in which we dwell

acting out our parts while waiting for our dwelling places

in your Father's house.

Not that I'm complaining, but sometimes I feel

a little silly,

playing at the game of being human,

and wondering

what metaphor I'm playing out when I reach for the next thing I think

I need.