Breaking Bread
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Rev. Diana Johnson, IM, RScM, with Chris Johnson, RScP.
Video Chapter Index
| 0:00 | Taizé | Clicking on a chapter link will play the segment in a new YouTube tab. Your link to this page will remain open in this tab, but the video will play in the new window. Clicking on the Play arrow in the video screen above will play both Taizé and the Conscious Conversation on this page. To make the picture bigger, you may click the full screen icon in the lower right corner:  To cast the video to your Smart TV, click the Play on TV button:  . Also, we now have Closed Captioning available! To access Closed Captions, start the video and click on the CC icon next to the gear in the lower right of the video screen:  |
| 22:05 | Guided Meditation | |
| 45:15 | Conscious Conversation |
Taizé
Call to Awareness – 3 Bells
Lucinda – Opening Prayer
Rev. Diana – Good morning, and welcome. If you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Rev. Diana Johnson. We celebrate the third Sunday of the Lenton Season this morning…a time of letting go of what no longer serves and adopting new ways of seeing and being that align more closely with who we are becoming. We begin our Taizé Journey by joining our voices in musical prayer.
Rev. Diana, Chris, & Marsh – Taizé Chants
- Welcome Home to Your Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- Beloved, written by Chris Johnson
Rev. Diana – Breathing deeply, we call forth the feeling of resting in the Beloved…I Am Beloved, just as I am, and just as I am not…You are Beloved, just as you are, and just as you are not…each one of us is Perfect in our human imperfection, worthy of Love…capable of Loving…Beloved by design. Take a moment to breathe that in…fully receive that Truth…allow it to take root…
The same is true for every being…every human being, without exception, no matter the appearance, is a Beloved Creation…a perfect and intentional expression of Divine Light. Every creature, plant, rock and grain of sand is Spirit taken form…all of Creation shines with God’s Radiant Light…the soil…the water…the clouds and wind…the heavenly bodies…each one, a golden thread, woven tightly into the fabric of Creation…interconnected, interdependent…individual expressions of the Sacred. With a deep sense of humility and reverence, we acknowledge the miracle of Creation, and the profound experience of deep Connection with all that is.
Sensing our oneness, we acknowledge our role as caretakers…in Service to one another…to all life forms…and to the planet that sustains us all.
Grounded in our Oneness, we center our hearts in idea that there is Power in Community. Since ancient times, one of the most powerful ways that human beings have connected was by Breaking Bread, sharing a meal together.
Breaking Bread together is more than satisfying physical hunger…it has deep spiritual roots that stretch back to the dawn of human civilization. As early humans gathered around fires to share food, they forged bonds that went beyond mere survival. The simple act of dividing and distributing bread became a powerful symbol of trust and community.
In many ancient cultures, bread was seen as a divine gift. The Egyptians believed the god Osiris taught humans to make bread. For the Greeks, Demeter was the goddess of grain and agriculture. By sharing bread, people expressed gratitude to the gods and affirmed their connection to each other and the earth.
Many of the world’s religions have sacred rituals and teachings centered on breaking bread. In Christianity, this Practice holds profound spiritual significance. It is reflected in the story of the Last Supper, where Jesus broke bread with his disciples…in the Eucharist or Communion ritual, where bread is blessed and shared…and is a symbol for Christ’s body and the unity of Spiritual Community.
In Judaism, the Sabbath meal begins with the breaking of challah bread. This braided loaf represents the manna God provided to sustain the Israelites in the desert. Breaking and sharing the challah connects modern Jews to their ancestors and to each other.
While not specifically “breaking bread,” the Islamic tradition of iftar – the meal that breaks the Ramadan fast – carries similar spiritual weight. Sharing food after a day of fasting reinforces community bonds and spiritual reflection.
In both Hinduism and Buddhism, the offering and sharing of food is a vital part of worship. It represents the cycle of giving and receiving between humans and the divine.
Beyond religious contexts, Breaking Bread together has immense psycho-social benefits. When we share a meal, we drop our guards and open ourselves to genuine connection. Time around the table creates a sense of equality. When everyone at the table receives a portion of the same food, it reinforces our shared humanity and can foster healing and reconciliation.
In our modern time, family therapists often use shared meals as a tool for improving communication and resolving conflicts…addiction recovery programs frequently incorporate communal meals to foster support and belonging. In times of grief or hardship, the offering of a meal is a tangible expression of care and support. The simple act of preparing and sharing food can be deeply healing. It allows us to nurture others and be nurtured in return.
Feeding our bodies is a Holy Act…a Sacrament…and one that best serves us when done with full Awareness and Joyful Presence. The fact that the food we eat becomes the body, and that our bodies know how to make that happen…what a miracle. The natural response to such a transformation, to such a gift of Grace, is Gratitude, Thanksgiving and Awe.
Musical Meditation – The Two Are One, by Gary Lynn Floyd
Feeding the body…Sharing a meal…a simple act of Communion with the Divine…a daily opportunity for Gratitude…and for recognizing the Grace that is forever flowing through our lives.
Chris – Guided Meditation
Bread is a profound universal symbol in all cultures and religions… it represents more than mere nourishment and sustenance… it is symbolic of Life itself… Like Life, bread has long been considered a Divine Gift to humanity… Breaking bread together… sharing this precious gift… signifies fellowship and community…
Bread has been called the staff of life… which can also mean other dietary staples… when we break bread together, we are not sharing only bread… we share generously whatever food we have… all are free to take as much or as little as they want… Whether we are related or not, we sit together at the family table…
We share much more than food… we share stories… jokes… what is happening in our lives… The family table is a safe place to share our hopes and dreams… our sorrows… it is a place to celebrate our sacred fellowship… Surrounded by spiritual siblings, we are free to be our true selves… to be fully authentic… and vulnerable…
Breaking bread together strengthens our relationships… it promotes equality… unity… peace… It is a deliberate act of connection… we create a circle of trust… we surrender our differences in favor of something greater… we create and build Beloved Community… everyone is appreciated… we all belong…
Mystic Heart is blessed with terrific cooks…our afternoon potluck lunches are delicious and nutritious… but they are also much more than food… As we share these three minutes of Sacred Silence, I invite you to contemplate your experiences of our breaking bread together… conversations with spiritual family… cooking together… eating together… helping with the dishes… How has it helped create a sense of belonging?… How has it strengthened our Beloved Community?… How has it grown you?…
Silence – 3:00
Great Spirit, thank you for this time of communion with these holy souls gathered in Beloved Community… Thank you for your Divine Presence… for your Love… flowing out from each heart… and into one another… May we never forget who and whose we are… and may we always see your Holy Light shining out through one another’s eyes…
When Jesus told his friends, “This do in remembrance of me,” he was not referring to the ritual of the Eucharist… He had taught them a new way of loving each other… a more empowering way to be in community… He was inviting them to recreate that feeling every time they ate together… to bring more love and unity into the world…
As Rev. Diana continues with her Taizé message, we joyfully receive her inspired wisdom… we take it in as spiritual nourishment… letting it feed our souls… and nurture the Divine Consciousness within us… thankful for the opportunity of Breaking Bread together…
Rev. Diana – What if we took this process of nourishment one step further? What if we made the act of choosing and acquiring our food a Sacrament? What if we turned the preparation of our meals into meditation? What if we approached food preparation and clean-up as prayer?
I offer you some points of reflection. Maybe try them out as you begin to prepare your next meal.
- I wonder who grew this food…who harvested it…who drove it to the market…were they fairly compensated for their time?
- How many hands and hearts did it take to bring this food to my table?
- How does this meal connect me to the earth and to others?
- What am I grateful for in this moment?
We anchor ourselves in prayer as we acknowledge the One Source forever giving of Itself as all of Creation.
There is now and always One Life, One Spirit, giving of Itself…becoming, so that It might experience Life in Its Infinite number of forms. It is through me, and through you, that Source comes to know what it means to be human. I experience my humanity, even as I stand in my Divinity. I acknowledge the physical processes related to being in a body on this planet, even while recognizing all of it as Holy.
I give special attention this morning to the privilege of Breaking Break with other beings…to the process of providing nourishment for myself and others, and doing it mindfully, as prayer…and Joyfully, and Celebration. I carry these thoughts and intentions into my week, giving thanks for the blessings of clean, safe, and abundant food in my life…and for the sacred beings with whom I share. There is nothing more worthy of my time and attention than caring for this Body Temple.
I offer deep and profound thanks for the countless blessings of this and every day. I Am so grateful for the many, many hands it took to bring the food to our table this morning…may each one be blessed beyond measure. I know that my Word is Powerful and Creative, and so I can release it now to the Power and Presence that takes it and makes it so, calling it done. And so it is! Amen!
Love Offering
As we prepare to close our Taizé Meditation, we offer the opportunity for you to share of your financial good in support of the work we do. Circulation is a Sacred Practice that supports Mystic Heart. It is by your generous gifts that we can continue the Good Work of supporting you and engaging in the greater Community. If you’re joining us online, you can find a Donate Button and our mailing address at mysticheart.org. We are so grateful for your generosity.
Offertory Music Video – You Are What You Eat, by Formidable Vegetable
https://youtu.be/7-IeorTe8-A?list=RD7-IeorTe8-A
Rev. Diana – Blessing for the Offering
Brief Invitations
Rev. Diana, Chris, & Marsh – Taizé Closing Song
- A Soul’s Blessing, written by Chris Johnson
Conscious Conversation
Lucinda – Opening Prayer
Rev. Diana – Welcome or welcome back…and thank you for joining us this morning. If you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Rev. Diana Johnson, and I am the Pastor and Spiritual Director of Mystic Heart Spiritual Center. We are an Independent Interfaith Community that teaches Universal Principles and Practical Spirituality, tracing the common threads of Truth that run through all the world’s great traditions. It is my prayer that something you hear this morning will lead you back to the Wisdom and Guidance of your own Mystic Heart.
Let’s get our Conversation started by joining our voices in song and giving our bodies a chance to move!
Rev. Diana, Chris, & Marsh – Reopening Music
- Welcome to the Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- One Big Family, written by Robin Hackett & Gary Lynn Floyd
- We Shall Be Known, written by Karissa Longaker of Ma Muse
Rev. Diana – Gently close your eyes and Vision with me a new version of life on earth, a Love-Soaked World…where all humans are living from their deepest Wisdom and Generosity, and their most Loving nature…thoughtful of the impact their thoughts, words, and actions have on one another, the community, and the planet…a world without greed, where there is abundance in having enough…where nutritious food, clean water and air are readily available to all beings…
…where warm, comfortable, and affordable housing is a given…where all beings feel a sense of safety, belonging, and contribution…To these blessings, we say Yes!
Ours is a world where mental/physical health, education, and healthy relationships are ensured by social systems grounded in Integrity, Honesty, and Wholeness…where all beings work and play at whatever feeds their soul and are well compensated for their Service…where authenticity and vulnerability are not only welcomed, but celebrated…where the Peace we cultivate within ourselves shows up as a world free of violence, hatred, or indifference…ours is a world where the Love that we are here to share is given freely to whomever our hearts are called to love…where we have moved beyond all lines of separation, and live as one human family, caring for one beautiful planet with the reverence she deserves. To these blessings, we say Yes!
We recognize that transformation is an on-going process, and especially in times of great change, people benefit from working, playing, and simply being together. And so this Community stands as an open and welcoming place for all who seek support, belonging, and a sense of Family. …it redefines Church as a place of Self-Discovery, Authenticity, Kindness, Radical Inclusion, and Love. To these blessings, we say Yes!
We recognize that transformation is an on-going process, and in times of great change, people benefit from working, playing, and simply being together. And so this Community stands as an open and welcoming place for all who seek support, belonging, and a sense of Family. …it redefines Church as a place of Self-Discovery, Authenticity, Kindness, Radical Inclusion, and Love. To these blessings, we say Yes!
It is by the Power of the Great Mystery moving through each one of us that this prayer is acted upon, answered even as it is spoken…Divine Presence, Timing, and Process make it so. And so it is with profound gratitude and great Joy that I release my Word to the One Who Gets It Done…And so it is!…Amen!
Bringing awareness back to the body, to the room, to this beautiful life, and to the amazing beings who share this space with us this morning…
Can you feel the shift in energy as we center ourselves in such a positive and powerful Vision? I think we’re ready to have a Conscious Conversation.
This morning our topic has been Breaking Bread. During Taizé, we said that Breaking Bread together is more than satisfying physical hunger…that it has deep spiritual roots that stretch back to the dawn of human civilization. As early humans gathered around fires to share food, they forged bonds that went beyond mere survival. The simple act of dividing and distributing bread became a powerful symbol of trust and community. And that in many ancient cultures, bread was seen as a divine gift.
We considered the idea that many of the world’s religions have sacred rituals and teachings centered on breaking bread. Beyond religious contexts, Breaking Bread together has other benefits…that sharing a meal, can bring connection, healing, reconciliation, and equality.
We spent time reflecting on feeding our bodies as a Holy Act…a Sacrament…and one that best serves us when done with full Awareness and Joyful Presence. Chris led a guided meditation, and there was musical meditation…you can check it out online if you missed out.
But for our Conversation this morning, we’re going to use Taizé as a jumping off point. This month’s theme has been the Power in Community. Last week we talked about what it means to be rooted in community, and how sharing in Community has so many benefits to our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Today, I want to talk about one of the Spiritual Practices that makes the Mystic Heart Community stand out…
…it’s something that might, at first glance, seem trivial…like a fun thing to do that really doesn’t tie in with Spiritual Practice.
Anybody have a guess what I’m talking about?
I’d like to share a passage from a blog I read this week.
“Sharing tables is one of the most uniquely human things we do. No other creature consumes its food at a table. And sharing tables with other people reminds us that there’s more to food than fuel. We don’t eat only for sustenance. Tables are one of the most important places of human connection. We’re often most fully alive to life when sharing a meal around a table.”
What do you think about that?
The author, who is Christian, uses countless examples from the Bible of how Jesus often taught and did his healing work around a table…that when he wanted to teach his disciples something, “he didn’t give them a theory, he gave them a meal.” And in Taizé, we looked at a number of religions and their various practices of Breaking Bread together.
He goes on to say, “I’m convinced that one of the most important spiritual disciplines for us to recover in the kind of world in which we live is the discipline of table fellowship. In the fast-paced, tech-saturated, attention-deficit-disordered culture in which we find ourselves, (Christians) spiritually grounded people need to recover the art of a slow meal around a table with people we care about. “Table fellowship” doesn’t often make the list of the classical spiritual disciplines. But in the midst of a world that increasingly seems to have lost its way with regard to matters of both food and the soul, (Christian) spirituality has something important to say about the way that sharing tables nourishes us both physically and spiritually. We need a recovery of the spiritual significance of what we eat, where we eat, and with whom we eat.”
How many of us take our meals at a table? Be honest now…
Even in our homes, on a daily basis, why might it be important to sit at the table to eat our meals? (an opportunity to focus on what we’re doing, be mindful, and express gratitude instead of mindlessly put food in our mouths while distracted by other things)
I could identify with this author. He said, “Food is my love language. The experts who write about such things suggest that each of us has one or two primary means by which we communicate (and receive) love. Those same experts don’t typically include food on their lists of love languages, but few things bring me more pleasure than working in the kitchen to prepare a meal for people I care about. Doing so is one of the primary ways I show people that I love them.”
Every week, without fail, our Community members show their Love to one another by preparing and sharing food. This is not only having lunch after service; it is part of our Spiritual Practice…it is a Table Ministry. Did you know that?
If you are someone who prepares and brings food to share on Sundays, would you please stand up, or raise your hand? Did you know you were taking part in a Ministry? You’re all Ministers.
Do you know what the word Minister means, from its Latin roots?
By preparing food, you are in Sacred Service to your Community. We don’t only take physical nourishment from the food you prepare; we feel all the Love that went into the selection and preparation of the food. The food carries all of that energy.
Have you noticed that food shows up a lot around here? What other times do we gather around a table?
(Every event and Fun Raiser, and often during classes and group meetings)
What are some of the ways Mystic Heart serves in the greater Community?
(garden project; food to the Mission; offering a monthly Garden Lunch and Friday Night dinner at Good Water Crossing)
We joke about how there is always food involved in this Community…we call ourselves Foodies. But I want you to really understand how much deeper this Practice of sharing food and gathering around a table goes. I want you to really appreciate what we are doing here…why the meal we share every week is part of the Practice.
Did you know that there are physical, mental, and emotional benefits to sharing meals around a table? Do you know what they are?
(improves nutritional intake; fosters deeper relationships; increases overall happiness; reduces feelings of loneliness; lowers anxiety; encourages healthier food choices; creates a sense of belonging; improves overall resilience and emotional well-being)
Listen to this: “Shared meals often result in eating more fruits, vegetables, and nutrients (like iron and calcium) compared to eating alone. It reduces the risk of obesity, promotes better digestion, and helps with safe eating for older adults.”
“People tend to eat more slowly and consciously when in company, rather than rushed, unhealthy meals often consumed alone.”
“Food often tastes better in good company, and cooking with others serves as a mindful, bonding activity that reduces stress.”
What is this bringing up for you?
How do you approach food in your own life, in your home?
Is shopping, preparing, and eating a sacred act? Do you hold it as such?
Do you bless the food you put into your mouth, and give thanks for it?
Is there anything else that wants to be spoken right now?
I want to thank you all for taking part in the various aspects of the Mystic Heart Table Ministry. I hold it as Sacred, and I’m very grateful for it, and for you.
Let’s close in prayer.
There is One Life, forever expressing, bringing form into Being, so that we might have the privilege of experiencing the many blessings of being human. Each one of us is a perfect and intentional expression of that One Life, exactly as we are…and as we are not. Each one irreplaceable…necessary to the Grand Tapestry of Life. It is so good to know that, in the Absolute…in the Mind of God…there is nothing wrong in any of us…there is nothing missing…we are each Perfect, Whole, and Complete, just as we are. Spirit sees only Perfection. My job in the coming week…and the same is True for each of us…is to show forth that Perfection…to call forward the Divine Qualities given us at birth. Love, Kindness, and Compassion are mine, and I consciously bring them into my daily life. Peace, Joy, and Beauty are mine, and I mindfully give them expression in my relationships.
I give thanks for the gentle reminders this morning…that the food we take into our bodies, and the food we share in Community is Sacred, and a blessing…that the food we prepare and share is one way that we bring Love into the world…that gathering around a table to share a meal is a Sacred and Joyful act…a Spiritual Practice.
I give thanks for this Beautiful Community, for the support and sense of family that we share.
I am so grateful for our beautiful and safe space to Gather, and for the financial and other support that makes it possible.
And I give thanks for every hand and heart that it took to bring our food to the table today. May everyone be blessed and know that their efforts are a blessing to the world.
I am filled to overflowing with gratitude, and so now is the perfect time to release my Word to the Powerful Presence that is forever active, knowing that my prayer is already answered. And so I simply let it be…and so it is! Amen!
Love Offering
Thank you so much for joining me here today. We’re going to bring this part of the morning to a close, but before we do, we’d like to invite you to join in the celebration of the work we are doing in the world by sharing of your financial Good. If you are at home, you can go to mysticheart.org to use our Donate Button or to find our mailing address.
We are an independent, self-supporting organization, and your financial gifts are what make it possible for us to do our work and provide this beautiful and safe space to gather. We thank you in advance for your generous hearts.
We acknowledge and give thanks for the Infinite Abundance of Spirit moving through you.
Offertory Videos – Sharing Lunch (https://youtu.be/ruW9GzcuFG4) & The Shared Lunchbox (https://youtu.be/1jZtQCPXUZw)
Lucinda – Blessing for the Offering
Lucinda – Brief Invitations
- Remaining Payment for the retreat is due by March 15…next week Sunday.
- The Mystic Heart Book Club is reading Return to the Sacred: Pathways to Spiritual Awakening on Tuesdays from 2-4
- Shining Light on Scripture meets on Wednesdays from 11:30am–1:30pm, facilitated by Chris Johnson. We are currently reading The Dhammapada by Eknath Easwaran.
- On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss, by Elisabeth Kubler Ross and David Kessler. Join Rev. Diana on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00 pm for this powerful book study and support circle. We’ll be reading and discussing chapter 2 this week.
- Fast Track to Wellness meets on Thursdays from 11:30am – 1:30pm. This is a body/mind/spirit support circle. We are currently listening to and discussing selections from Good Stress and Life in the Fasting Lane.
- Join April and Maile on Wednesday, March 18th, 6:30 – 7:30 pm for a quarterly Healing Sound Bath. As the Spring Equinox approaches and the light returns, sound and vibration guide you from winter’s stillness into warmth, balance, and renewal.
- Uniquely You: A Jewely-Making Workshop with Kimberly McIntosh. Saturday, March 28th, 1:00-4:00 pm. Details are available on the website and in the March Bulletin. Payment of $25 is required in advance.
- Easter Sunday Release and Renewal Ceremony – Join Mystic Heart and the House Music Team on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 9:30 – 11:00 am for a special Sunday Celebration. This year’s Gathering will begin Taizé-style, weaving contemplation, readings, music, and silence into a beautiful and meditative experience. We will follow up with a powerful Releasing of what is no longer serving our lives and complete our time together with a bit of Celebration, joining our voices in song and prayer. Use this time in Sacred Community and Ritual to make a new beginning in your life. This is a perfect time to bring friends and family to our Gathering Place. Please reserve your seat with Rev. Diana, as space is limited. Potluck Brunch to follow!
There is more information available on new classes and activities in the March Bulletin.
Information Cards only if new people
Prayer Requests: I am available after service for prayer, in our beautiful Prayer Room or fill out a prayer card and I will get your request to our Prayer Team for daily prayer.
Closing Song – Love Be With You, written by Lainey Bernstein & Gary Lynn Floyd
©2025 Mystic Heart Spiritual Center, All Rights Reserved
Permission is granted to duplicate for non-commercial educational use only.
All rights to music performed remain with the copyright owners.
Diana Johnson’s music is © by Barefoot Angel Publishing, ASCAP.
Chris Johnson’s music is © by SeaJay Music & Publishing, ASCAP.