Last weekend, and for the next 4 weekends, (except for the wonderful “interruption” to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mother) we will be hearing readings from the Gospel of John (instead of Mark) centered around the Eucharist. We will hear Jesus’ teachings about the bread of life; eating and living forever. In thinking about these weeks of Eucharistic teaching, I got to thinking about feeding and being fed. As I worked in my garden and fertilized—fed—my plants, it made me wonder about what we feed in ourselves in order—one hopes—to thrive and grow in all good things. (You are what you eat….)
Last summer my husband bought me a large and beautiful trumpet vine plane. It was about three feet tall and covered with beautiful red trumpet-shaped flowers. The nursery lady told James it was a Cinderella plane, and we took to calling it by that name. At the end of the outdoor season I felt that I didn’t want to part with Cinderella. So I cut a piece of old carpet to put her on and set her by the sliding glass doors in our den which we no longer used to go out to the deck. She would have plenty of light in that spot and slowly all the blooms dropped off as I spent the winter watering and plant feeding her—no other blooms came again—but she seemed healthy enough. The weather turned in the late spring and Jim hauled her outside for me to enjoy there. (And to be able to exit and enter again through the den doors.) Nothing happened. She seemed green and happy, I re-potted her so she wouldn’t be root bound; nothing—no lovely red blooms. I finally did some research on trumpet vines and found that they love acidic soil—the plant food bloom buster had done nothing to aid any buds—but sharing my used coffee grounds did! Within a short amount of time, blooms started to come out and I look forward to seeing her covered in glory again—she just needed the right food…
The teachings are clear for us Catholic Christians about what the Eucharist does for us: it strengthens us to carry out God’s work in the world; and it connects us to all creation—all living beings—in the world, our Communities and families. We should take the Eucharist very seriously; it speaks to our deepest commitments and belief—and it authorizes us to act and action as does the Holy Spirit itself. This is nothing to ever take lightly…
Jesus tells us today: “Whoever comes to me will never hunger.” So, what is fed in us—what do we feed—as we receive Eucharist? One hopes we feed our better angels—the best version of ourselves that God created us to be.
Here is a another story about hunger and feeding. An old Cherokee chief is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside of me, and it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil— he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf is good—he is joy, peace, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside of you, grandson, and also in all other human beings.” The boy thought about what he had heard for a while and asked his wise grandfather, “Which wolf will win this conflict?” The old Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.”
I think the grandson’s question in this story is a question of reconciliation we all need to ask ourselves. Every Sunday, and at any Mass, The Eucharist gives us the opportunity to take stock of our hearts, minds and spirits. What do you feed in your heart of hearts? Food for thought…
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: Here is the song by Brook Hills that challenges us as the Body of Christ.
Last summer my husband bought me a large and beautiful trumpet vine plane. It was about three feet tall and covered with beautiful red trumpet-shaped flowers. The nursery lady told James it was a Cinderella plane, and we took to calling it by that name. At the end of the outdoor season I felt that I didn’t want to part with Cinderella. So I cut a piece of old carpet to put her on and set her by the sliding glass doors in our den which we no longer used to go out to the deck. She would have plenty of light in that spot and slowly all the blooms dropped off as I spent the winter watering and plant feeding her—no other blooms came again—but she seemed healthy enough. The weather turned in the late spring and Jim hauled her outside for me to enjoy there. (And to be able to exit and enter again through the den doors.) Nothing happened. She seemed green and happy, I re-potted her so she wouldn’t be root bound; nothing—no lovely red blooms. I finally did some research on trumpet vines and found that they love acidic soil—the plant food bloom buster had done nothing to aid any buds—but sharing my used coffee grounds did! Within a short amount of time, blooms started to come out and I look forward to seeing her covered in glory again—she just needed the right food…
The teachings are clear for us Catholic Christians about what the Eucharist does for us: it strengthens us to carry out God’s work in the world; and it connects us to all creation—all living beings—in the world, our Communities and families. We should take the Eucharist very seriously; it speaks to our deepest commitments and belief—and it authorizes us to act and action as does the Holy Spirit itself. This is nothing to ever take lightly…
Jesus tells us today: “Whoever comes to me will never hunger.” So, what is fed in us—what do we feed—as we receive Eucharist? One hopes we feed our better angels—the best version of ourselves that God created us to be.
Here is a another story about hunger and feeding. An old Cherokee chief is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside of me, and it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil— he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf is good—he is joy, peace, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside of you, grandson, and also in all other human beings.” The boy thought about what he had heard for a while and asked his wise grandfather, “Which wolf will win this conflict?” The old Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.”
I think the grandson’s question in this story is a question of reconciliation we all need to ask ourselves. Every Sunday, and at any Mass, The Eucharist gives us the opportunity to take stock of our hearts, minds and spirits. What do you feed in your heart of hearts? Food for thought…
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: Here is the song by Brook Hills that challenges us as the Body of Christ.
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