“Give us the bread we need today." ~ Matthew 6:11
The 36-year-old Salvadoran left Mexico’s Pacific coast in a
small boat accompanied by a much younger crewmate. An experienced sailor and
fisherman, he expected 30 hours of deep-sea fishing, hoping to bring back a
lucrative haul of sharks, marlins, and sailfish. The 24-foot open fiberglass boat
had a single outboard motor, rudimentary electronics, and a large icebox for
storing fish.
Shortly after departing,
they were blown off course by a ferocious, weeklong storm that damaged the
motor and emergency radio beyond repair. They were forced to dump the fish
they’d caught to make the vessel more maneuverable. They also lost almost all of
their fishing gear, leaving them with only a handful of basic supplies and
little food.
Without sails, oars,
an anchor, running lights, or any other way to contact shore, the boat drifted westward
across the open ocean. Local authorities called off the search after two days,
citing heavy fog and extreme weather.
Their maritime diet
initially consisted mainly of raw fish, turtle blood, and small birds (fresh
meat helps prevent scurvy). To quench their thirst, they drank rainwater and
urine.
Spending most of his
life at sea, José Alvarenga was used to a seafood diet and the harsh salty air.
His 22-year-old companion was not. Four months into their oceanic odyssey, he became
ill, stopped eating, and eventually died from starvation.
After 438 days adrift, covering about 6,000 miles, his
excursion ended ten years ago tomorrow. By the time he was rescued, José was in
surprisingly good health, except for dehydration, anemia, and aquaphobia.
Alvarenga's journey reminds us of the resilience of the
human spirit and the power of faith, even in the direst circumstances. When asked
if he’d learned anything from his ordeal, he replied: “I’ve learned that if
I can have enough food to eat and fresh water to drink, I will be deliriously
happy for the rest of my life.”
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, He had them ask
only for “daily bread.” He didn’t have them ask for luxuries, property, or
lavish meals. He didn’t have them ask for protection or for all of their future
needs to be met. He had them ask for the spiritual sustenance that only God
could give.
But we can only
receive it when we open ourselves to it. Jesus knew that constantly caring
about ‘things’ and worrying about our future would only separate us from God
and love. Only God knows our genuine needs better than we do.
“Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive
our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Help us avoid earthly
temptations and protect us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and
the Glory, forever.” Amen
