Wednesday of 3rd Week of Eastertide
Acts 8:1-8
Jn 6:35-40
“He who comes to me will never be hungry…”
I am somewhat of a foodie. In Singapore, that’s considered quite normal because of the sheer variety of delicious options we have available on a daily basis. I also enjoy watching cooking shows – from Masterchef to Next Level Chef, as well as the ‘24-hr turnaround’ shows and clips featuring Michelin-starred restaurants, and celebrity jaunts to well-known ‘food havens’ all over Europe and Asia.
A recent show featuring a well-known fine dining establishment in Singapore struck a chord. I was impressed with the level of detail that went into the kitchen, as well as front-of-house prep for both lunch and dinner services. It was actually on par with some of the top, 3-Michelin starred establishments across the world.
At a recent retreat I served in, I was prompted to reflect on the hunger that each retreatant had for Jesus. Each day, there were talks on the various forms of prayer, as well as what each ‘level’ of prayer entailed. By the end of the retreat, at the closing mass, I observed how the retreatants’ hunger for God had increased tremendously. During that mass, communion seemed to be a lot more meaningful for them.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, just like in those Michelin-starred establishments, where a brigade of staff labour intensely to prepare to deliver unforgettable dining experiences, perhaps we too could just spare a little bit more time and effort each time we prepare to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. After all, we bother to call ahead and make reservations (sometimes, even forking out a non-refundable deposit) or special requests, when we dine at restaurants. In most cases, we have a menu to choose from and get to curate our own meals.
So why not exercise the same care when we prepare to receive Jesus? They can be simple actions like making sure we are suitably attired (even restaurants have a dress code); that we come on time, if not earlier (some restaurants have a 15-min time limit before declaring a ‘no-show’); and that we truly savour and appreciate the time and prayers required by every priest (they even ‘wash’ their hands) to prepare the eucharistic meal for all of us.
Which therefore means we need to pray before the mass and to be truly attentive to His Word – from the first reading, to the Gospel — and yes, the priest’s homily. Because every word is an invitation to partake in the sacred meal that is on offer…WITHOUT CHARGE. Truly, we are a privileged lot, to be able to enjoy a ‘3-star meal’…each and every time we attend mass.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have given us the sacrament of the Eucharist as a sign of your love for us, through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to appreciate this unique sacrament so that we can partake of it fully, with reverence and having truly prepared for it.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Jesus, for offering up your self for us. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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