Sunday, August 04, 2002
Meditation
Matthew 14:13-21
As much as Jesus wanted to satisfy the physical hunger of the more than five thousand people he fed that day in Galilee, he wanted to fill their spirits even more. From the earliest centuries, the church has seen the multiplication of bread and fish as pointing toward something even greater: the Eucharist, in which Jesus feeds millions every day with his body and blood.
Imagine the grace that’s available at Mass, if only we “hearken diligently” to the Lord (Isaiah 55:2). What could be more life-changing than joining with so many of God’s people in a prayer of praise and adoration? What could be more powerful than receiving Jesus Christ himself, letting his flesh and blood mingle with ours, letting his Holy Spirit lift our spirits up to the very throne of heaven? No wonder countless saints have sung the praises of the Eucharist!
And yet, we all know how easy it can be to go to Mass without expecting to be changed. We all know how quickly the prayers and readings can take a back seat to thoughts about our day, daydreams about the future, or worries about the past. How can we reverse this tendency? By preparing.
Try taking a little time with the Lord before heading out the door for Mass. Ask him to examine your heart and show you where you might need to repent so that at the penitential rite, you will know forgiveness. Set aside some time to read the Scripture passages ahead of time, so that when they are proclaimed in the liturgy you will hear Jesus speaking to you personally. Take a few moments to remember Christ’s body, broken for you on the cross and thank him for loving you even unto death. Whatever you do, know that as you come to the Lord’s table, with humble, repentant hearts, willing to be changed by the Lord, the Eucharist can become one of the most powerful experiences of your life. May we all come to taste and see the goodness of the Lord!
“Jesus, I am amazed by your compassion. Thank you for sacrificing your life on the altar of the cross so that I might have your life in me. Thank you for feeding me with your own self. By your Spirit, help me open myself up to the transforming power of your love.”