Christianity is Enjoyment
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
by Fr. David M. Knight
View readings for 1st Wednesday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings
Lectionary no. 177 (Is 25: 6-10a; Ps 23: 1-3, 3-4, 5-6; Mt 15: 29- 37)
On this mountain the LORD will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food... Isaiah 25:6
I grew up on peanut butter sandwiches and hamburgers. Then one day my father took me to Antoine’s restaurant in New Orleans. It was a shock. I never knew such food existed.
For those who understand, Mass is the same shocking experience. There we taste the “bread of heaven,” receiving it both from “the table of God’s word and the table of the Lord's body” (John 6:30ff., Vatican II: “Liturgy,” nos. 7, 48, 51).
This is the “bread of life,” about which Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Those who live the Mass experience this in a way that is beyond all comprehension. Like an extraordinary meal, it cannot be explained; it must be experienced.
But for this, all must “take part in the sacred action conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full participation,” in order to “be drawn into ever more perfect union with God and with each other, so that finally God may be all in all” (no. 48).
To “taste and see” at Mass we must keep ourselves aware of what we are eating. And also of those with whom we are celebrating. Mass is a communal meal.
DAILY PRACTICE: Read Scripture daily, savoring it. Taste what you hear at Mass.
ADVENT PRAYER: Lord, you spread your table before me… my cup overflows.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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