Lately, raw food diets have been popular. Maybe you have read about a celebrity (or know someone personally) who has chosen to eat organic foods or raw foods. This usually means eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and unprocessed proteins while avoiding processed or preserved foods like chips, candy, and canned foods. This kind of diet is based on a belief that over-processing foods can kill some of the enzymes, minerals, and vitamins that are good for the body. People who choose to eat organic foods or raw foods believe that food is best for you when it is still “living.”
Much more than any kind of nutritional choice, the Eucharist is the ultimate living food. Jesus calls himself the living bread. Many people are skeptical that life could come in the form of a thin wafer, but Jesus is present as living bread to us. That’s the miracle: when we take communion, we are connected to Jesus, and to all others who receive. Just as some people might believe that they receive energy from “living” foods, we receive spiritual energy from the author of life.
Your Action for the Week…
This week, concentrate on the experience of receiving the Eucharist. You might consider attending daily Mass or an early morning Mass on Sunday. Sometimes, with less people and fanfare, it can be easier to focus on the Eucharist.
Reflections Questions
- How is Jesus “living bread” you for?
- How do you experience Jesus giving you life through the Eucharist?