‘Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
This week the readings focus mostly on food, and more particularly on people eating together: a symbol of fellowship and togetherness, and a reminder of God’s covenant with his people.
Isaiah (First Reading) issues an invitation to such a meal: ‘Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price … I will make with you an everlasting covenant.’
The Psalm, traditionally sung at meal times by the Israelites, praises the Lord for giving them fulfilling food.
Even when he is tired and grieving the loss of John the Baptist, Jesus still shows compassion for the crowds who follow him (Gospel). He ensures that they can be fed, transforming the little that the disciples bring him into great abundance. This blessing and sharing of the loaves and fish by Jesus prefigures the meal we share in the Eucharist.
Great comfort and support will be gained when we fully appreciate that nothing whatsoever can separate us from the love of God through Christ our Lord. (Second Reading).
Aware that nothing we do or think can make God love us less or more, we pray this week for all who do not know or accept Jesus as their Lord. We also keep in our prayers those who are in desperate need of food, whether physical or spiritual.
