SOLEMN FEAST OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST B

 

REMEDY FOR HUNGRY SOULS

 

 

 

I was surprised when a man stopped by our gate to chat. He talked about many things but specially how he lost his regular job and couldn’t even find a new one due to the lockdowns. As I returned to my desk to finish some paper work, the man continued to linger at the gate. I asked if he needed or wanted to say something and he said he didn’t. Finally, he left.

 

It dawned on me that the man was too shy to ask. I looked into my cabinet and took out some food, then sent him a text to get them. In a minute he was back and happily took what I managed to give.

 

Hunger is real; poverty is real in these worsening crisis of the pandemic. Families are getting hungry. People appreciate what little food they can get for free. But sometimes we are so insensitive that we cannot immediately feel our neighbor’s need.

 

Jesus was totally absorbed with the situation of his brothers and sisters. He knew when they were hungry and he immediately provided them food. He felt they were hungry and thirsty spiritually too, that he gave them the best food and drink to sustain and nourish them. He gave his Body and Blood.

 

Hunger is real and we need to do our little bit to help our needy brothers and sisters. But spiritual hunger and thirst are even more crucial as people plunge deeper into fear, despair, desolation, sadness and depression. Jesus established the sacrament of the Eucharist to feed the soul that begs for nourishment; to sustain the soul that craves for energy and strength.

 

We go to Mass on Sundays precisely to receive this gift of the Lord’s Body and Blood, our spiritual food and drink. The ancient Christians said, “without Sunday, we cannot live.” How true it is these days. Not all of us can go to church as we used to; and following the Mass online still deprives us of the experience of Holy Communion. For those who can attend church, Communion is an immense grace. For those who can only make spiritual Communion, this simple prayer of unity with the Lord serves as inspiration and hope to one day be able to receive Communion again.

 

Let us thank the Lord for this great sacrament. Let us prepare our hearts to receive Jesus in Communion when we can physically attend Mass. Let us also trust the Lord more if at this time, it is not possible for us to attend Mass. One day, he will make it possible and so let us make our waiting a beautiful preparation for that divine encounter with him.