Are You Satisfied?
“They all ate and were satisfied.”
Luke 9:17a
On Corpus Christi Sunday we are invited to contemplate the great gift of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Our Lord, and this year we hear the Lukan account of the multiplication of the loaves. After a day of teaching, the Apostles asks Jesus to dismiss the crowd so they can go find food and lodging. But, Jesus replies with something that might sound shocking — “Give them some food yourselves.” Five loaves and two fish were all they had and this needed to feed 5000 men along with any women and children. So, Our Lord said the blessing over the loaves and fish, broke them, and gave them to the people and we are told “they all ate and were satisfied.” When the Lord broke the loaves, all were fed and were satisfied. When the bread is broken on the altar and we eat, are we satisfied?
When my students casually say “I’m hungry,” I would sometimes half-jokingly ask, “Did you go to Mass? If so, you shouldn’t be hungry. You’ve eaten of the Bread of Life!” Of course we will still be physically hungry after receiving Communion, but we ought be spiritually full, for the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life,” and is the sustenance that feeds our souls. But how often do we seek other ways to satiate ourselves? Sometimes we try satisfy our needs and wants in ways that may even be inordinate and sinful, but why? Is the Lord not enough for us? What is it that we desire in life? Is it the Lord? Is it Communion with Him? Do our actions and way of living show this?
Today on this Corpus Christi Sunday let us contemplate on the gift of the Eucharist and how we approach this most awesome sacrament. When the Lord comes to meet us at the altar and blesses the gifts and the Holy Spirit turns the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of our Lord, and we go to meet Him and receive Him, will we be satisfied? Let’s not forget, after being fed and satisfied, we are told there were 12 wicker baskets filled with leftovers. Likewise, after receiving the Lord Himself, the graces do not end there. There are 12 wicker baskets overflowing with graces that the Lord wishes to give to us. We need only go to Him, and we will eat and truly be satisfied indeed.
