Virtual Retreat

Daily scriptural reflections by Fr. Rory Pitstick, SSL from Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in Spokane, WA
Also available via daily email

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Daily Retreat 12/05/07

2007 Dec 5 Wed:Advent Weekday
Is 25:6-10a; Ps 22(23):1-3a,3b-4,5,6; Mt 15:29-37

From today’s readings:
“On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines....   I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life....   I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way....”

Hunger Pangs

Feeling pangs of hunger is part of the human condition.  But, fortunately for many of us in the modern world, the means of food production are more than sufficient to meet the needs of all peoples, so those of us with surpluses need to have a commitment to share with the hungry throughout the world.

We have a good example to follow, for all of the readings today mention the Lord’s readiness to share His heavenly food with all peoples.  For impoverished people with simple diets, the Lord’s words must have been appetizing indeed, that promise of “a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.”

But for those of us well accustomed to regular meals and even occasional feasts, for those of us who routinely walk through the aisles of supermarkets shelved with so much food, for those of us who often find more food on the plate than should be eaten, the words of scripture might unfortunately sound a bit bland.....

Despite the fact that every day brings us too many words and too much food for our own good, our hunger for God’s word and God’s food is something altogether different, and cannot be satisfied by worldly means.  Many, it’s true, still go hungry, but that need not be,  thanks to the God who does not want to send His people away hungry, but would rather we partake of His feast - and be more than satisfied!