On this Advent Wednesday the message of our readings is about feeding! God wants to supply our needs! He wants to feed us! He wants to make sure that we have what we need not only to survive but to endure - and not only to endure here, but for ever in the place prepared for us.
The Prophet Isaiah foretells the “quality” of God’s providence and care: the “rich” food and the “choice” wines that the Lord will provide for all peoples. He will not only feed the body, but he will also feed the mind - he will remove veils of ignorance and unintelligence. And he will wipe away death for ever - with his promise of a food that will last eternally.
God will come to save us! He will save us from what we need saving from: the effects of Original sin, and the effects our own individual and corporate sinning! And we shall rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!
The gospel passage from St. Matthew cannot make it any clearer: Jesus has come to feed us with the bread of life! The multiplication of the loaves and fishes was a figure of what the Eucharist would one day be for us: his very body and blood: the “richest” of all possible foods; the “choicest” of all possible wines. There would be more than enough to last our whole lives long - until we go to partake of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb in the Kingdom - where the feasting and merrymaking will go on without end!
We are so fortunate to have this very bread of life, and cup of salvation available to us at this Mass - may we always hunger for them, be satisfied by them and eager to celebrate them for ever in the Kingdom that is to come - the reality of which the Kingdom which is already here, is but a reflection!
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life - and I shall feast on the food of angels unceasingly!
No comments:
Post a Comment