Are We Joyful, Humble, Fleshly Ciboria?

Remember how the Israelites grumbled during their desert journey – there being no bread? And how they later rejoiced when they received manna from heaven to satisfy their physical desires??

Recall that it wasn’t too long after this food was showered upon them that they complained about seeing “nothing before us but this manna” and longing to have the food they enjoyed while in Egypt – meat, cucumbers, melons, leeks onions and garlic (Numbers 11:4-6).

The Jews began to take this manna for granted. Instead of its arrival reminding them of the magnificence of the God who provided it to them and Who was delivering them from their Egyptian slave masters, they complained about what food they did not have. They preferred nourishment for their stomachs, rather than their physical and spiritual freedom.

Are we Catholics much different from our Jewish ancestors in the way we treat and respond to the Eucharistic manna – the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – that our Loving Lord offers us each day?

Have we become so causal about our Eucharistic Lord and our undeserved participation at the heavenly banquet that we have forgotten Who it is Who chooses to unite Himself physically with the sinful creatures we are?

Do we believe there is nothing else on this earth Which can be more satisfying or worthwhile than to welcome the King of Kings and Lord of Lords into our tarnished bodies?

Are we joyful, humble fleshly ciboria radiating the Love of the Lord within us to those about us?

The honest answer – not in the manner fitting the Gift we receive.

What do you think?