22 June 2014 - not deserted

22 June 2014 - not deserted

He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger,
and then fed you with manna,
a food unknown to you and your fathers,
in order to show you that not by bread alone does one live,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD.

Yesterday Jesus told us to seek first his kingdom and not not worry about what we are to eat and drink, since the Father knows our needs.  Today we find that the LORD allows us to be tested "by affliction and find out whether or not it was your intention to keep his commandments."  It's all well and good to make a mental choice to put the kingdom first.  But sometimes he has to let us put it into practice amidst the difficult circumstances of our lives.  We then see whether, practically speaking, he is first in our lives.

We spend time in the desert.  All of us do.  The foods to which we are accustomed cannot be found.  But even in the desert "the LORD, your God has directed all your journeying".  Even in the desert the heavenly Father knows what we need.  We are accustomed to earthly bread.  Are we willing to trust him when he tells us that his heavenly bread is even better?  If we trust him in the desert we will not starve.  We will not die of thirst.

who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock
and fed you in the desert with manna,
a food unknown to your fathers."

There is a certain abundance which the Christian can know even on the desert journeys of life.  When we live by the word that comes from the mouth of the LORD, Jesus the Son, we receive the best of wheat which far surpasses earthly bread.

He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!

It is not simply food.  It is a participation in the body and blood of Christ.  It is here that we are made partakers of the divine nature (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4).  When we receive him we are made one in him.  There is nothing individualistic here.  We are opening ourselves to love.  And since they will know we are the followers of Jesus by our love we can't miss this opportunity.  Since the world will know that Jesus is sent by the Father based on our unity (cf. Joh. 17:21) and since that unity is effected by the Eucharist we can't miss this opportunity.  If we want our lives to preach the gospel, we need the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace (cf. Eph. 4:3) which can be found only here.  Listen to the author of the Letter to the Hebrews:

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near. (cf. Heb. 10:24-25).

Let us come together and be united in his praise.

Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.