Come and Have Breakfast

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is an old adage. It must be so for generation after generation families partake of breakfast before pursuing the demands of the day.

I remember as a boy when I spent summer vacation in the family farmland in Pinamungajan, Cebu; I could not understand why we had to wake up so early before sunrise. We then took light breakfast; and the able men then proceeded to tend the fields.

It was much later that I understood the routine. The farmer ate early to provide his body with energy; and it was best to work early as the heat of the sun tended to be less harsh in the morning than later in the afternoon.

In John 21: 12, it is written, “Jesus said to them “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.”

Jesus saw the importance of breakfast, for how could the body sustain the rigid demands of fishing? Appointed as fishers of men, the Apostles needed to sustain their bodies and more importantly their souls; so early on Christ gave them His Body and Blood. The task on hand was far greater than the demands of the seas, for the conversion of non-believers brought the ultimate act of sanctity: martyrdom.

Inspired by John’s Gospel, I have convened Light Soul Breakfast. It is a fellowship of people praying, sharing and singing as a way of expressing love for God and a forum towards creating a caring society. In these times when couples work hard throughout the week, their souls need to be energized, to be filled with the Holy Spirit to prepare them for the demands of another week of family time, of work in the office or field; and, of community service.

As our bodies cannot run on empty at the start of a long day; our souls cannot run on empty at the start of each long working week.