Leftovers

LEFTOVERS ANYONE?

When do know when God is talking to you? I have no experience with God talking to me directly at least that I can remember. I do have many memories of being prompted by an inner voice that stirs me to take action or by a scripture reading that provokes further meditation or thought.  Last Sunday was no different. The homily given by our residing deacon spurred a further reflection on the idea that although the focus was on the multiplication of the loaves and fish, there was another message, one that get typically overlooked - that of the remnants of food or what I call leftovers.

I previously wrote about cooking which is something I enjoy as I find it creative, therapeutic, and a way to bring family together. With many dishes the food is bursting with taste on the day is prepared, but the following day the leftover meal always seems to even tastier. These leftovers leave one savoring the test at times wanting more. Moreover, if on day of the preparation there is plenty to go around one gives the guest take home plates. It is this that Jesus is asking us to do as well. It is not enough to just eat or in our case go to Mass and participate in the taking of Communion, we are to go beyond the doors of the church to spread the Word.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Jesus had to explain to those that followed him across the lake to Capernaum that he was the bread they were seeking (JN 6:24). This was done after they asked for a sign from him, not really understanding who he was. Signs as we know are only temporal, much like anything else we encounter in the world. It is here one moment and then gone. People may talk about an event years later, but its memory becomes fleeting as time moves on. Much like a good loaf of healthy bread Jesus will nourish us. As one becomes more in tune with their spirituality they realize that this nourishment is vital for survival.

EMPTY CALORIES

Jesus on the other hand as the true bread of life sustains us in word, spirit, and body. He leaves us

with leftovers as we are nourished through the Spirit. However, there is a caveat to this. If the attending Mass becomes just a ritual without substance we become much like a person who craves fast food, goes to McDonalds, orders a Big Mac meal and finds themselves hungry a few hours later. They are not filled due to the empty calories. We have to make sure that attending Mass does not become just another fast food experience. On the other hand a healthy meal full of the food pyramid groups serves to sustain. This is the liturgy, full of the word of God, Communion, and song as well with the community of worshippers.

PREP WORK

I know that with cooking there is plenty of time dedicated to prepping the meal. Washing and cutting vegetables, marinating cuts of meat, making a good sauce, are all part of the process. For me going to Mass is the same. I cannot just show up five minutes before Mass as I know from experience that I will leave with little. Attending Mass involves reading Scripture early in the morning and having a considerable amount of time for prayer and meditation. Then and only then am I ready for meal and thus can take leftovers to the world beyond the church doors.