I was out of town this weekend and forgot to post this reflection on Sunday's readings. If you need a refresher, you can find the readings here.
I know there are many days when I feel exhausted and worn out and feel like I don’t have enough energy to keep up with all my various responsibilities. Sometimes I lose energy because I am not sure which direction God wants me to go. Sometimes I have used up all the energy I have on things that have come my way throughout the day or the week. Sometimes I don’t have enough energy because I haven’t had enough sleep, food, or exercise.
I am sure my struggles are very different than what Elijah experienced…after all, I’ve never traveled a day’s journey in the desert! Although I can’t relate to what Elijah was encountering in his life, I can learn something from his relationship with God. When Elijah was worn out, exhausted, and at the end of his rope, he said “That’s it God! I can’t do it anymore! You just need to take care of it!” And take care of it He did. God provided enough food and drink to strengthen Elijah for a forty day journey!
We learn in the Gospel today that God sent eternal food and drink to us in His son Jesus. Our source of strength and our energy is fueled by the intimate relationship with God that we are offered through Jesus our brother. We are blessed as Catholics to be able to experience that bread of life every Sunday, or even every day! The Eucharist, the living bread, our communion, draws us together in faith, nourishes us, and gives us the spiritual energy to not only get through our struggles, but to be an example of that living bread to everyone we encounter. With frequent reception of the Eucharist can gain strength to overcome whatever we have experienced in the past, get through whatever we are struggling with today, and prepare for whatever God is calling us to in the future
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