Bread from heaven. When most people 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.
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.” But there's more to think about. Remember, God tells Moses to tell the people to "go out and gather their daily portion." In other words, God would give them each day their daily bread. Those words sound familiar? If you've ever prayed the Our Father, they should. And just as the Israelites could receive their daily bread, so can we in the Blessed Eucharist. Jesus' Body and Blood, the Bread of Life, is available to us every day.
Father, we thank you for giving us each day our daily bread. Not just feeding our stomachs, but feeding our souls with the Bread of life. Amen.
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