Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Sunday
Q. 321: Who would want to fondly remember a desert journey through spiders, scorpions, snakes, and such? Why this particular memory (Dt 8:2-3,14-16)? (Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)
(Cycle “A" – May 29, 2005)
A. 321: It isn’t the dangers themselves that are the focal point. Rather, it is the fact that God’s provident hand was with them at all times, guiding them even in the midst of dangers. When the Israelites were hungry, God fed them manna from heaven. When they were thirsty, God gave them water from the rock. This is a portrait of a loving God, a parent who really cares about his children.
Many of us had the blessing of being raised in a large family (for me, a family of ten), without riches (in the sense of material possessions). But we were greatly blessed because of the spiritual riches all around us. Good Catholic parents who made the Holy Eucharist the center of life for our family. Good Catholic education at the knees of our parents, who could not afford to send us to a distant parochial school in another town. Good food on the table, although the portions were always very modest. Good social justice lessons, since somehow there was always something to share with other families with similar needs, such as hand-me-down clothing. God’s provident hand was clearly seen and gratefully acknowledged by us every single day.
This is what the Israelites were experiencing, to learn to trust in God and his providence. The disciples of Jesus discovered that also, as they came to understand and believe that the Holy Eucharist was indeed the very flesh and blood of Jesus, in sacramental form. Jesus had gone, but he was still here! God truly provides for his children, even unto eternal life.
Know Your Catechism! The Eucharist is the pledge of the glory to come (CCC#1402). Like the Israelites of the Old Covenant remembering their desert journey, we remember the promise of the New and Everlasting Covenant first celebrated at the Last Supper (CCC#1403). We are fed and strengthened by this Eucharist to live the life of Christ (CCC#1436). It is the nourishment for our daily desert journey, the medicine of immortality (CCC#2837).
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)
