Can you imagine a situation, a dinner party, where all the diabetics are eating baskets full of Sister Schubert dinner rolls; all the cardiac care people are putting down 2# Ruth's Chris T-bone steaks; all the alcoholics are drinking bottles of really good wine; all the overweight folks are enjoying hot fudge sundaes--and it's all OK?
Even further--the present bite is as wonderful as the first, and no bite sates you to the point of feeling over-stuffed...
In a way, that is the vision of Isaiah in today's first reading for Mass. It all works because in fact there are NO diabetics, alcoholics, obese or cardiac people: all are healed, and all are joyously celebrating at the heavenly wedding feast of the Lamb.
Jesus in the Gospel for today is the image of this: on a mountain He heals those afflicted with ailments and then provides a meal of loaves and fish for the crowds. He offers the double sign of outer healing and satisfying of hunger--pointing to the spiritual healing of forgiveness and the spiritual nourishment of His own self, given and poured out for us; we celebrate both every time we partake in the Eucharist.
This thoughtful blog I cannot resist.....no more acceptance of diet
ReplyDeleterestrictions -- all food and drink of personal choice- forever!! And, of course, I can bide my time for this happening. Because I am fortunate enough in this earthly existence to celebrate mass and receive our Lord in the Eucharist as frequently as possible - we are still free here in our beloved country to practice our cherished faith. But, the whimsey of the message offers a delightful moment.