Bread from heaven. When most Christians hear that phrase, they probably think of Jesus. And rightfully so. But in today’s first reading from Exodus 16, we once again experience typology. We see a foreshadowing of Jesus. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the sower of seeds.
When the Israelites were out in the desert, they didn’t have supermarkets or 7-11s to pop in and pick up a bite to eat. There’s not a whole lot of grub in the desert. And the people were hungry. And, as was their habit, they began grumbling and complaining to Moses. God heard their cry. And He told Moses, “I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion.” God would miraculously feed His people.
This manna from heaven was a foreshadowing of Christ. In fact, in John 6, Jesus speaks of the manna and says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” The manna from heaven was a great miracle. But it was temporal. It would not last forever. The Eucharist is the greatest miracle of all time. And this miracle continues on forever and ever. Hungry? God has got just the right food for you. You’ll find it in the Catholic Church.
Father, we thank you for feeding us. Not just feeding our stomachs, but feeding our souls with the Bread of life. Amen.
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