Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021112.cfm
"My heart is moved with pity for the crowd....They ate and were satisfied."
There are two things (among many) that happen at every Mass.
First, Jesus has pity or compassion on us. He pities us, first and foremost, because he loves us. Secondarily, he pities us because he knows we are mortal, sinners, weak, and in total need of him.
Second, Jesus' compassion for us causes him to give himself to us to to satisfy us; and this he does in the Holy Eucharist. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes in today's Gospel to satisfy the (physically) hungry crowd, so at every Mass he "multiplies" his body and blood to feed his (spiritually) hungry Church. And, when we receive the Eucharist worthily or with the right dispositions, we are satisfied; however, while this satisfaction is better than anything this world can offer us, it is not total. The satisfaction the Eucharist brings is a foretaste, a preview if you will, of the satisfaction we will receive from our oneness with Christ in heaven. It is better than anything on earth, but it should make us long and hope for the whole package in heaven.
May God give us the grace to be rightly disposed to receive his love and compassion in the Blessed Sacrament.
No comments:
Post a Comment