Take This Bread by Sara Miles Summary

Take This Bread chronicles Sara Miles’ journey from atheist journalist to founder of a San Francisco food pantry after a transformative communion experience. This spiritual memoir explores radical hospitality, integrating faith with social justice, and redefining church through communal meals and service to marginalized communities.

This book resonates with readers exploring unconventional faith journeys, social justice advocates, and those interested in LGBTQ+ perspectives on Christianity. It appeals to anyone seeking stories about community-building, inclusivity, and the intersection of spirituality with practical activism.

Yes—critics praise its raw honesty and unique lens on Christianity’s transformative power. It offers fresh insights into sacramental living, making it valuable for skeptics and believers alike. The New York Times called it “astonishing,” while Anne Lamott deemed it “the most amazing book”.

Miles embodies radical hospitality through her food pantry, welcoming people regardless of background. She dismantles social barriers by creating spaces where the wealthy and unhoused share meals, reflecting her belief that “communion isn’t a metaphor”.

The Eucharist catalyzes Miles’ conversion, symbolizing both spiritual nourishment and physical sustenance. She reinterpreted communion as a call to action, transforming altar bread into food donations and establishing pantries as “Eucharist in reverse”.

As a lesbian Christian, Miles challenges exclusionary dogma by emphasizing Jesus’ inclusive teachings. Her memoir argues that authentic faith transcends labels, with St. Gregory’s Church affirming her identity while supporting her pantry work.

• “Mine is a personal story of an unexpected and terribly inconvenient Christian conversion”—introduction.
• “The pantry wasn’t a social service program but a service, modeled on the Eucharist”—highlighting sacramental activism.
• “Food is where we start”—underscoring nourishment as spiritual practice.

Miles’ pantry ministry treats feeding the hungry as sacred work. By distributing groceries where communion is celebrated, she blurs lines between worship and social action, arguing that “feeding people is the first step in building God’s kingdom”.

Some reviewers note the memoir’s unconventional theology might challenge traditional Christians. Others suggest the narrative’s focus on personal anecdotes leaves systemic poverty analysis underdeveloped.

Unlike abstract theological works, Miles grounds her faith in tangible acts of service. It shares themes with Shane Claiborne’s The Irresistible Revolution but stands out for its LGBTQ+ perspective and food-centered spirituality.

Many report renewed faith in communal activism, with some starting pantries themselves. Book clubs often discuss Miles’ challenge to “practice Christianity instead of just preaching it”.

Its themes of bridging social divides through shared meals resonate amid modern polarization. The book’s model for faith-based service remains vital as food insecurity persists globally.

Bread represents both Christ’s body and universal human need. Miles frames food distribution as Eucharistic practice, where “physical hunger and spiritual hunger meet”.