Today was the first Sunday back at St. Andrews, which is the Catholic church I attend in Clemson. It was nice to be welcomed back into a place where everyone sings loud and proud, prays all together and just rejoices in general. Even at the 8am mass, which is what I usually like to go to, things were lively.
In the homily today the priest mentioned how when people heard of Jesus' miracles, they began to sort of see him as a provider, but in a magician sort of way. Think about the story of the loaves of bread and the fish. People realized he could materialize food and drink out of nothing! But that is not the sort of dependency that God wants us to have. He is not a magician, and not someone that will just multiply your things until you can stuff yourself with lavish riches and exorbitant amounts of food.
The point, I think, is that we receive great things from Him, as a result of believing. We don't believe because we receive gifts; we receive gifts because we believe.
The priest also talked about the confusion people endured when Jesus said that they needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood. With the understanding we have now of the sacrament of the Eucharist, it all makes sense. But can you imagine someone saying that they wanted you to eat their body and drink their blood? In the wrong context, it would sound beyond absurd. But now, we take part in Him through that Eucharist, and our souls are enriched from it.
I enjoyed the message today. I think for the first time in awhile I really listened and really enjoyed mass. I'm looking forward to next week.
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