Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. — Psalm 147:12

Mass readings: Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16 / 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 / John 6:51-58 

True Life 

American poet William Carlos Williams wrote, “It is difficult/to get the news from poems/yet men die miserably every day/for lack/of what is found there.” No one is going to go hungry because they don’t receive Communion, yet how many are starving, unaware, for what the Eucharist brings? Jesus calls himself the Bread of Life. When I find myself away from the Eucharist for any length of time, do I feel my life ebbing away? If I don’t, I need to ask myself why. 

Perhaps I’m preoccupied with daily worries and responsibilities. Perhaps I’m stuck in some habit or situation that makes me ashamed (like Adam and Eve) to face the Lord. In either case, I’m valuing the earthly life outside more than the eternal “life within” that Jesus promises today. 

Prayer: Jesus, You are true food, true drink. Bring me true life.