CAST THY BREAD UPON THE WATERS

Provided with permission from Metropolitan AME Church.

“Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days” Ecclesiastes 11: 1

My mother was a schoolteacher, an orator, and a much sought-after speaker; she was also deeply spiritual, a devout Missionary Baptist. One of the speeches she was often asked to deliver was entitled: “Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters.”

It took a long while for me to understand the meaning of those words. Growing up with dogs named ‘Patrasche” and “Mephisto” suggested to my child’s mind that I should ask. On learning that the title was taken from a verse in the bible, I was then driven to understand its deeper meaning, and hence the reason for the speech’s popularity.

Casting bread upon the waters and getting it back after many days, I learned, was figurative, not literal, speech. It signifies action--and represents unselfish work done every day in service to others. Work for the common good; giving the best you have to give, letting your moral compass guide you; giving authentically.

“Casting bread” is symbolic of our actions; “waters” symbolizes our global society and the many problems that beset it. “Finding it after many days” represents those times in our lives when service we don’t remember comes back to us through a flower, message of thanks, or the social justice actions of others.

Prayer: Much is required to cast bread: love, faith, courage, strength, authenticity, and collective effort. Why not start during Advent season? Amen

SISTER GLADYS GARY VAUGHN, Ph.D. CHAIR, DANIEL A. PAYNE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION