29 May 2016 - all sweetness within

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[ Today's Readings ]

He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves."

But we say, "we are in a deserted place". We protest that we don't have enough to give. Our own resources are insufficient to buy enough to meet the need.

Jesus demands fruit from the fig tree when it is not time for figs. He insists that we "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (see Second Timothy 4:2)

These demands might seem unreasonable. But Jesus himself first gives us what he asks us to give to others. We bring to him what we have, knowing that it is not enough, and he makes it enough. He gives it to us and we find so much leftover that we do somehow have enough for all who hunger.

Then taking the five loaves and the two fish,
and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing over them, broke them,
and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
They all ate and were satisfied.
And when the leftover fragments were picked up,
they filled twelve wicker baskets.

He fills one basket for each apostle. He provides for his Church down through the ages starting with the men who become the first bishops and priests.

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you

It is ultimately from the passion and death of Our LORD Jesus Christ that this supernatural food comes. We can live beyond the limits of human weakness precisely because we are given the flesh of the one whom even death itself, the epitome of human weakness, could not contain. This is the priesthood of Melchizedek which will never pass away. This is the pure sacrifice of bread and wine offered in every nation from the rising of the sun to its setting (see Malachi 1:11).

We aren't all priests of the ministerial order. But for all of us, this is the source of life. Normal food may keep us alive for a time, but not forever. It has no power in the face of death. This is different.

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (see John 6:54).

Let us receive and give thanks. In the face of a gift of such magnitude, even all that we are is not enough to offer back. But receiving God's gift with thanks is all he asks.

What shall I render to the LORD
for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD (see Psalm 116:12-13)