The Lord provided for the Israelites on the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land by supplying them with manna for food and water for drink. He wanted them to learn to trust him for their physical needs, so they’d learn to trust him for their spiritual needs as well. “Not by bread alone does one live, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord.”
Jesus also provides his followers with the food they need on their spiritual journeys, a food even more amazing than manna, for he feeds us with his own Body and Blood. It’s only by eating his flesh and drinking his blood that we can receive the nourishment we need for eternal life, he said, and that’s what we receive at the Holy Eucharist.
But we do not obtain this nourishment only for our own benefit. We receive it also so we can carry out the mission entrusted to us by Christ, who gave us his flesh “for the life of the world.” We are called to use the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to us to extend the Kingdom of God by working to invite all people to the Eucharistic banquet.
