St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

11/17

"You gave yoru people food of angels...providing every pleasure

and suited to every taste." WISDOM 16:20

God provides food for all and for every need

READ: WISDOM, CHAPTER 16, VERSES 20 TO 29

Some five centuries at least after the Exodus account about the gift of manna, the author of the book of Wisdome gives us his own perspective on the emblematic episode.  In a completely different historical and cultural setting he testifies to a spirtualization of its meaning.

     What we read in today's passage is arguably the most developed reflection of manna.  No one else among the Old Testament authors has gone so far.  Together with the author of Ps 78, the Pseudo-Solomon views manna as no less than "food of angels."  But unlike the Exodus narrative, where we learn that the Israelites were not necessarily enthused about manna and about its taste, so as to ask for meat, our author goes so far as to claim that it was 'suited to every taste."  Those of us who know the liturgical service called "Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament,"  might remember that these two phrases are regularly sung during these celebrations.

     Manna is a wonderful gift.  But as the author says, it is a symbol of a greater gift and of greater nourishment, namely the word of God.  Such understanding of manna will be matched and will even get greater significance about two generations later when Jesus of Nazareth makes it the very heart of his speech on the Brad of Life:  "The bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (John 6:33).

     Other than Mass, do I still take time to honor Jesus' presence in the Blessed Sacrament?

PRAYER STARTER:  O loving Father, we give you thanks for Jesus, Word became flesh, living and life-giving Bread for our journey on earth.

Fr. Joachim