Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Today’s Responsorial Psalm encourages us to “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord”. Is this just a nice little expression, or is the psalmist serious? Can we really “taste and see” God’s goodness? I’m willing to bet that if you are reading this article, you probably have a number of such experiences where God’s presence is so real you can sense it. As we listen to John’s gospel about the multiplication of the loaves and the bread of life discourse over a number of weeks this summer, we Catholics have this quintessential teaching that Christ makes himself present to us in the Eucharist, body, blood, sou, and divinity, what is referred to as “the Real Presence”. We really can taste and see God’s presence and experience him within our being. How remarkable is this! Yet, sadly, I fear that our minds are on other matters as we come forward to receive Christ fully present in the Eucharist. It’s understandable... I get it! People are busy; they have their minds cluttered with things to do, places to go; they have problems at work, at home, with the in-laws, with their kids. O Lord, are we distracted!!!
I recall one of the early lessons in my life, one about problem solving. It goes like this, “The first step in solving a problem is recognizing that you have one”. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? And, you’re right; it is, at first glance. Yet, it is clear that many people we know (or ourselves, perhaps) aren’t dealing with their problems because they refuse to recognize them. And a likely reason is because they don’t know where to turn; they are clueless as to where to find help.
The psalmist today tells us where we can find help for the difficulties we face. Here at the table of the Lord is where we find the solution to many of life’s challenges and difficulties. For if we are able to center our lives around this physically, emotionally, and spiritually complete meal, we will have the strength, courage, and mindset that will allow us to face our problems and find solutions to them.
The reason for this is simple: once we get our relationship with the Son of God on proper footing, we will then in turn be able to get all of our relationships on a solid basis also. Once the Eucharist becomes our staple meal, and the indwelling of the Spirit is effectuated in us, we are able to confront our problems with a new strength and awareness that leads us to new solutions; enables us, “to be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ”.
These few words from today’s readings provide immense insight into God’s overwhelming love for us. His desire is for our complete happiness and for our fulfilling our destiny of being one with him forever. The Eucharist truly allows us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. With our eyes wide open by this sacred meal we are able to see God’s goodness in the many kind acts we see around us…in the beauty of the next flower you see or the next full moon. Look into the eyes of a child or a young woman planning her wedding. Look in the mirror! The psalmist tells us to stop for a moment and take in the goodness of the Lord that surrounds us…. Don’t miss out on it! If we do, it’s because, like Martha perhaps, our hearts and minds are in the wrong place and so we miss out on God’s presence in everything and everyone around us.
What does God’s goodness taste like? It tastes like the feeling you get when someone says “I love you” or “your forgiven” or when you wake up energized and refreshed from a good night’s sleep and are greeted by the sunrise. God’s goodness lingers within us and moves us in a way that only grace can or like that special person in your life who can get your spirit to soar.
We taste and see the goodness of the Lord most clearly, of course, in the Eucharist and in the community that gathers to receive it, food for the hungry and sight for sore eyes.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
Image Credit: https://myocn.net/made-known-in-the-breaking-of-the-bread/
