There are two ways we need to understand today’s Gospel account. Firstly, Jesus, God the Son, did in fact restore the senses of hearing and speech to the man. Next, the account also has a deeper, spiritual meaning for each of us. Hence, let us pray: Lord, heal us of our spiritual deafness so we may hear You and then in turn, speak and share the beauty of the Gospel with all.
“Material food first changes into the one who eats it, and then, as a consequence, restores to him lost strength and increases his vitality. Spiritual food, on the other hand, changes the person who eats it into itself. Thus the effect proper to this Sacrament is the conversion of a man into Christ, so that he may no longer live, but Christ lives in him.” St. Thomas Aquinas
Jesus said: “I am the Living Bread”. Mary, Blessed Mother of the Holy Eucharist, teach us to love our Lord with ever greater devotion, surrender, and reverence. Intercede for us in making reparations for the offences and sacrileges committed against our Precious Jesus. Ark of the New Covenant, pray for us.
Over the next 5 weeks we are invited by the Church, through the Liturgy of the Word, to meditate on the Eucharist. Jesus is the One who provides, but by asking Philip the question, “where can we buy enough food”, isn’t He teaching the Apostles, and by extension each of us, to serve the community in accordance with our state in life? Paul seems to echo this directive calling the Christian community to live in humility, gentleness, patience, love and in unity of spirit. Where do we learn this? From the One who humbled Himself and washed the feet of His followers. Let us always be willing to follow His example.
Today’s second reading from Paul’s 2nd letter to the community in Corinth presents another example of Divine paradox. God, who is holy and perfect, who alone can judge objectively and in truth, offers each of us His love, mercy and grace when we face, and so often, are overcome by our sinfulness and weakness. With humility and surrender, let us look to the Lord, until He has mercy upon us.