“in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.” – Exodus 16:13-15
In the desert, the Israelites complained to Moses for food to sustain them. They were willing even to go back to horrible, burdensome slavery to be fed.
God answered. He gave them bread in abundance covering the ground like hoarfrost in the mornings. Enough food and substance to fill their every need. It wasn’t enough, the Israelites demanded bread too – God answered with flocks of quail.
Years later, still complaining of their needs and wants, God answered with the Bread from Heaven. Lying in a manger in Bethlehem.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger” – Luke 2:7
Manger, the word comes from the Old French mangier (meaning “to eat”), from Latin mandere (meaning “to chew”).
“Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’” – John 6:31-34
“ ‘I am the bread of life.” – John 6:35, 48, 51,
And, they complained still – “‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’” – John 6:60
We. As Catholics have the greatest blessing in all creation. When we come to Mass, we get to participate and partake in this greatest joy and mystery.
The Bread of Life – The Eucharist.
God laid across the fields life sustaining bread from Heaven like hoarfrost. Then, laid in the manger the eternal life-giving Bread – The Bread fr Heaven. And, at Mass He gives us again this great food – the Bread that is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us the instruction and importance of this Bread throughout John 6. And, gives us His Body and Blood at the Last Supper in all four Gospels (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-30, and John 13).
At Mass, the Fathers lays out the greatest gift He has ever given to strengthen His people with grace and the Eucharist.
Come to the Father without complaint or distraction. Accept this great gift. Trust that the Eucharist will change your eternity.