Reflection for Monday, March 31st 2020

Today's Readings:  Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102; John 8:21-30
Today's Old Testament Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures recounts another episode about the Israelites in the desert during their time of wandering and learning to trust God.  In this episode, the people grumble against God and against Moses.  They complained, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert where there is no food or water?  We are disgusted with this wretched food!"

Wait a minute!  Hadn't God freed these people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt?  Hadn't God created miracles to overpower all of the gods of Egypt; turning the Nile River to blood, making the sun god, Ra, go dark for 3 days, killing all the animals that belonged to the Egyptians which represented other gods, and eventually killing the first-born of all the Egyptians, including the son of the most powerful Egyptian god, Pharaoh?  How could these same people grumble and complain to God after all that?  And what about that food that God provided in the desert -  Manna- supernatural bread from heaven!  We would never complain like these people.....right??

Ever since Jesus came and gave us the Mass, the Supernatural Bread From Heaven has returned, and is present and available to us in the form of the Eucharist at every Mass.  Have we ever complained about what God asks of us? Have we ever complained about attending Mass? Have we ever taken the Eucharist for granted??

During these times when we are not able to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist, we might be missing it, and recognizing how important it is in new ways.  Even others who may not attend and receive often may be wishing they could gather with their Catholic family to worship together and receive the Eucharist.  

Perhaps God will use this time to help us gain a deeper appreciation for the Eucharist....

Let's pray about it.....
In Christ's Peace!
Carol Mullins