We have all heard the saying, “you are what you eat.” As consumers in the wealthiest country on the earth, we spend billions annually on getting healthy. What would happen if we placed the same importance on our spiritual health and focused on feeding our soul nutritionally each day?

In today’s gospel from Mark, Jesus teaches his followers not to be so concerned about clean and unclean foods (as when following kosher law) because that is not the cause of a clean or unclean person. Jesus explains that the real defilement of people is from within – from what is in their heart, not from what is consumed from the outside. Our holiness isn’t based on following specific rules; but on how we think, live, and treat others.

As Catholics, we have the amazing opportunity to participate in daily Mass and receive the Eucharist, to be nourished around the Table of the Word and Table of the Eucharist; each celebration ends with us being sent forth to “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” After my husband’s death, I attended daily Mass before going to my office. It meant getting up earlier and rearranging my morning schedule, but the extraordinary difference it made in how my day continued was worth the extra effort. One day a co-worker remarked how I arrived each morning with a glow about me. The Holy Spirit lifted me up as I was nourished each morning with a healthy breakfast of God’s Word and the Eucharist.

Saint Peter Julian Eymard wrote to Mme. Grisaud, January 13, 1855: When we work hard, we must eat well. What a joy that you can receive Holy Communion often! It’s our life and support in this life — Receive Communion often, and Jesus will change you into himself. 

Today, how will you glorify the Lord by your life?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, guide me to have an open and kind heart, ready to see and hear with compassion. Let me be nourishment for those who need to be fed with the gift of my full attention, patience, and understanding. Give me the grace to be your light throughout my day today. Amen.

Eucharistic Reflection – Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing (eucharisticevangelizing.com)
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