This Sunday, we find ourselves immersed in profound readings that resonate with the heart of our faith—the Eucharist, the true bread from heaven. They remind me of the deep love Saint Francis had for our Eucharistic Lord, a love born from a personal encounter with Christ and the graces of His sustenance for our souls.
In our first reading from Exodus, we witness the plight of the Israelites as they journey through the desert. Gripped by fear and uncertainty, their hearts are clouded by nostalgia for the fleshpots of Egypt. They grumble and lament their decision to follow Moses into the wilderness, forgetting the oppressive slavery they left behind. When we become too dependent on things that are ultimately hurting us, no matter how many miracles we witness, we will always be tempted to choose and prefer evil over the good which God is leading us to. This is our fallen human nature. How human it is to long for comfort when faced with hardship! Yet, in their hunger, God responds with grace, promising bread from heaven. This manna is not just physical sustenance; it is a sign of God’s presence and provision.
Like the Israelites, we can become distracted by the perishable things of this world. Our longing for comfort can sometimes lead us to grumble in our spiritual lives. However, God is always ready to provide for our needs, both physically and spiritually. The bread from heaven points us toward the ultimate gift—the Eucharist. Saint Francis understood this deeply, recognizing that in the Eucharist, we receive Christ Himself, the bread of life who nourishes our souls and guides our journey. When we receive Christ into our lives, we simultaneously receive the Light of the World. “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me, does not walk in darkness” John 8:12.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul encourages us to put away our old selves, corrupted by desires that lead us away from God. Instead, we are called to embrace our new selves, created in righteousness and holiness. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of the Eucharist. Just as the Israelites had to gather the manna each day, we, too, must come to the altar regularly, longing for the nourishment that only Christ can provide.
Now, we turn to the Gospel of John, where we see the crowd searching for Jesus after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Their desire for Jesus stems not from their faith in His identity but rather from their physical hunger. Jesus, however, seeks to elevate their understanding. He challenges them, saying, “Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life” John 6:27. Here, Jesus reveals that He is not merely a provider of bread but is Himself the Bread of Life—our spiritual sustenance who will unite with us through the Eucharist.
In this profound declaration, we are reminded that the true hunger we experience transcends the physical. It is a hunger for something eternal, a longing for communion with God. Jesus invites us to bring our desires, our longings, and our struggles to Him, assuring us that whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst. Saint Francis exemplified this in his life; he sought not the comforts of this world but the richness of divine intimacy found in the Eucharist.
So, how do we respond to this challenge? First, we must recognize our own hunger—our deep desire for God that seeks fulfillment in so many superficial things. Like the crowd, we need to acknowledge the spiritual longing that exists within us. Then, like Saint Francis, we must cultivate a deeper love for the Eucharist. We must approach the altar with reverence and awe, realizing that in this sacred meal, we encounter the living Christ who desires to be in union with us.
Finally, let us remember that the Eucharist is not just about receiving; it calls us into a relationship of love and service. As we approach communion, let us also be transformed into instruments of that love in the world—sharing the bread of life by our very lives, becoming agents of hope, unity, and charity. The closer we get to our Eucharistic Lord, the more clearly we will be able to see him in others. This was a lesson that Mother Teresa of Calcutta learned well. She would adore the Lord with her sisters for two hours each day, in the Eucharistic Lord who rested splendidly in the monstrance before them, and then and only then, would they go out into the streets and help Him who was hidden within others, especially the most abandoned.
As we thank Almighty God for the treasure beyond all treasures in this Eucharist today, may we be filled with the profound love Saint Francis had for our Eucharistic Lord. Let us recognize Him in the breaking of the bread and let us also recognize him in all of his children within whom he dwells. “I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, you gave me to drink. In prison, and you visited me.” May we too be given the spiritual vision to see beyond the veil of the flesh, and recognize we are dealing with an entire person, soul and body, the sacredness of which is only fully known to God alone. Let us remember that Jesus did not give us the Eucharist to fill our bodies, as he did when he multiplied the loaves and fish for the people. Rather, he gives us the Eucharist to give sustenance to our souls, and to adorn us with the gift of everlasting life.
Through the intercession of our Lady, the perfect Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament, may we also obtain the gift of prayer and a Christlike heart to minister and be of help to others. Our Lady, Queen of Adorers, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Add comment
Comments