You are the God who feeds and nourishes.

You are the God who assures that we have more than enough,

   and we do not doubt that

   you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Even in such an assurance, however,

   we scramble for more food.

   After we have filled all our baskets

      with manna,

   we seek a surplus-

      enough education to plan ahead,

      enough power to protect our supply,

      enough oil to assure that protection.

And in the midst of that

      comes your word,

   that we share bread and feed the hungry,

      even to the least and so to you.

We mostly keep our bread for ourselves,

         our neighbors,

         and our friends.

It does not occur to us often,

   to feed our enemies,

   to share your bounty with

      those who threaten us.

We do not often remember to break vicious cycles

   of hostility

      by free bread,

      by free water,

      by free wine,

      by free milk.

Until we remember that you are the giver of all good gifts,

         ours to enjoy

         ours to share.

Stir us by your spirit beyond fearful accumulation

      toward outrageous generosity,

   that giving bread to others

         makes for peace,

   that giving drink to others

         makes for justice,

   that giving and sharing opens the world

      and assures abundance for all.

We pray this even as we ponder the gift of your Son

   whom we ingest as bread and wine,

      and tasting, find ourselves

         forgiven and renewed.

   Feed us till we want no more!

Walter Brueggemann, 1933 -,  American Protestant Old Testament theologian

______________________

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.