Broom Tree Service

~~~ Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ 1 Kings 19:4-8 ~~~ Psalm 34 ~~~ Ephesians 4:30—5:2 ~~~

~~~ John 6:41-51 ~~~

...I am the living bread that came down from heaven;

whoever eats this bread will live forever;

and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

Many times at Mass I see people remain

 in their place during Communion.

It makes me feel sad for them.

Unless you have committed a grave mortal sin 

there is no good reason not to receive.

Jesus never said only those who are worthy 

will receive me as their 'bread of life'.

Because, who are we trying to fool?

We will never be worthy to receive him into our body.

The psalmist tells us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Not just the goodness, but the life of the Lord.

Jesus is the 'bread of life'...eternal life.

Elijah, surrendered his life to God resting under the 'broom tree'.

A broom tree is one of the smaller trees in the area.

Elijah leans against the trunk of the tree...

resting on God as he prays for death to come take him.

He is weary and tired.

As he sleeps peacefully under the tree

an angel comes delivering food.

The angel not only brought food, but also a message from God.

“Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!” 

He got up, ate, and drank;

then strengthened by that food,

he walked forty days and forty nights

 to the mountain of God, Horeb.

Jesus is the Bread of Life 

he is our strength for the journey.

We have a standing invitation to come receive this living bread.

Sometimes our journey keeps us from coming to receive;

this is when God may send one of his angels 

carrying his bread of life to you.

No matter where you are God

 will find a way to nourish your soul.

Elijah sought God under the broom tree.

Where do you seek him?

The life that Jesus offers to you is beyond 

leaning on the broom tree.

The shade and rest space allows us to be fed...

to be strengthened... to continue the journey...

Your journey will end when you finally exhale your last breath.

Until that day comes...

be fed by the Bread of Life...Eucharist.

Blessed by Jesus to be food for the journey.

~~~ Peace ~~~

Mass Evacuation

~~~ Exodus 12:37-42 ~~~ Psalm 136 ~~~ Matthew 12:14-21 ~~~

They had rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity

even to prepare food for the journey.

The Israelites were driven out of Egypt.

They had no time to prepare for their journey.

When wild fires or flood waters are threatening your home

you are facing similar circumstances.

All you can do when feeling is grab a few essentials and leave.

The Israelites were not facing a natural disaster,

they were facing hateful people.

A natural disaster passes with time leaving destruction behind.

Eventually you can return, salvaging what you can.

The destruction the Israelites were fleeing was their own death. 

There was no chance of returning to their home.

Not only Israelites left Egypt,

A crowd of mixed ancestry also went up with them,

besides their livestock, very numerous flocks and herds.

Imagine your entire city evacuating

 in the same direction at the same time.

Men, women, children, all races, 

along with all of the pets and live stock.

It would be like one of our modern day disaster movies.

But the exodus was not created for the big screen 

it was real life with real people.

Hopefully you will never find yourself in such a disaster.

They had no opportunity to prepare food...

Being prepared for disasters is widely

 accepted as a wise thing to do.

During hurricane season we are urged 

to have water, batteries, canned food, flashlights etc.

It is good to be prepared for our untimely death as well.

When there is time to prepare for the journey of death,

it is the Eucharist that is our food for the journey.

Everyday we strengthen our relationship with God

 we are, in essence, preparing for our final journey.

Blessed with time to prepare

for our final journey.

~~~Peace~~~