In its day, the Titanic was the world’s largest ocean-liner, weighing 46,328 tons, and it was considered unsinkable. Yet, late during the night of April 14-15, 1912, the unthinkable happened to the unsinkable. Near midnight, the proud Titanic struck an iceberg, ripping a three-hundred-foot hole through five of its sixteen watertight compartments. It sank in two and a half hours, killing 1,513 people. Before the Titanic sank, warning after warning had been sent to tell the crew that they were speeding into an ice field, but the messages were ignored.
Sometimes we believe that our “ship” is unsinkable, our life is completely planned, and the unthinkable can never happen to us. Advent reminds us to read the signs of the times and pay attention to the warning signals. But if we are preoccupied with the trivial things of life, we will miss the most important things until it is too late.
Tangible Food
Food is not one of the trivial things in life, especially in Jesus’ life. In the play, Oliver, the little orphan boy sings about food.
Food Glorious food
We're anxious to try it
Three banquets a day
Our favorite diet
Just picture a great big steak
Fried, roasted, or stewed
Oh food! magical food! wonderful
food! marvelous food!
What wouldn't we give for
That extra bit more
That's all we live for
Why should we be fated to do
Nothing but brood on food
Magical food,
Wonderful food
marvelous food,
Beautiful food,
Food, Glorious food glorious food
[Lionel Bart, "Food, Glorious Food," in *Oliver!*, directed by Carol Reed (London: EMI Films, 1968).]
Consider all the Gospel scenes of Jesus and food: at meals in the house of friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus; in Peter’s house served by the mother-in-law; the Pharisee’s house; the tax collector’s house; feeding the four thousand, and then the five thousand; most important of all, the Last Supper; the meal in Emmaus, and the meal in the upper room after the Resurrection; and, finally, the breakfast by the Sea of Galilee.
Spiritual Food
Jesus and food go together. But His food in the Eucharist nourishes the body and the soul with truly glorious food. Better than any Thanksgiving meal with turkey and all the trimmings. The Eucharistic meal and sacrifice is our wonderful, marvelous, beautiful, grand family meal. Nothing better! At every Eucharist, Jesus takes whatever little we have to offer of ourselves and transforms it to feed all who are hungry with his own glorious food, Himself.
- Father Willy's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
