Mass Readings: July 31

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Reprinted from , a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community

DAILY BREAD

"Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare." –Isaiah 55:2

Isaiah prophesied "rich fare." The psalmist promised "the best of wheat" (Ps 147:14). Wisdom invited all to her banquet. "Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed!" (Prv 9:5) Throughout the Old Testament, we were invited to a wondrous banquet.

For centuries the chosen people waited for the fulfillment of these prophecies. Finally, they were fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus. He took the five loaves and two fish and miraculously multiplied them to feed possibly 15-20,000 people (Mt 14:16-21). Yet even this did not totally fulfill the Old Testament prophecies. Jesus saved the best till last.

At the last supper before He died, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it, saying: "This is My Body" (Lk 22:19). Jesus taught that His flesh was real food and His blood real drink (Jn 6:55). He was fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies in a way unimaginable. He gave Himself to us in an intimate communion of love.

Jesus invites: "Come to Me heedfully, listen, that you may have life" (Is 55:3). Accept Jesus' invitation to His banquet of love. Go to Mass daily, or as often as possible, and eat the Bread of Life.

PRAYER:  Jesus, may I want to celebrate Mass and receive Holy Communion every day of my life.
PROMISE:  "For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord." –Rm 8:38-39
PRAISE:  Praise the risen Jesus, Whose Body and Blood are indeed "rich fare" and the food of angels!