Dear Family of God,

Last June, I had an opportunity to watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy for the 13-hour flight from Los Angeles to Manila and back. This Sunday’s Readings reminded me of the Eucharistic symbolism of this movie, especially the Lembas bread that strengthened Frodo and Sam’s bodies and spirit as they journeyed through the darkness of Modor.

Modor symbolizes the sufferings of this mortal life, yet Lembas bread of the Eucharist strengthens us for the journey towards light and peace in heaven.

Isaiah from our First Reading is inviting Israel and us to “come to the water… come receive grain and eat. Heed me, and you will eat well. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.”

Truly, “The hand of the Lord feeds us; He answers all our needs,” as our psalmist proclaims. And, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God,” from this love covenant that is promised to David and fulfilled and renewed with Jesus during His institution of the Eucharist during the last Supper. The same formula that we heard in our Gospel, Jesus blessed, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.

Jesus will never abandon us; He is perpetually present in the Tabernacles of our Churches all over the world. The Eucharist is our food for the journey that truly satisfies our hunger for love and belongingness. He alone can fulfill the ultimate longing of our hearts, Jesus our rock, our Saviour our fulfillment.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary help us all to receive Jesus in the Eucharist as our food for the journey towards heaven.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate.

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