dinner engagement
"While Jesus was reclining to eat in Levi's house, many tax collectors and those known as sinners joined Him and His disciples at dinner." —Mark 2:15
Throughout Jesus' ministry, He transformed people by eating with them. When He ate with tax collectors and sinners, He said He was serving as a doctor (Mk 2:17). Eating with Jesus means being healed.
When we come to the table of the Lord at every Mass, we experience the same Jesus. At Mass, He not only eats with us but becomes our Food. "My flesh is real food and My blood real drink" (Jn 6:55). The bread and wine become transformed into Jesus' body and blood. We also become transformed. Dr. Jesus is doing a major operation as He wields the two-edged scalpel of His Word. "It penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart" (Heb 4:12). Jesus Himself penetrates our bodies as we take within us not only healing, nourishment, and medicine, but Jesus the Healer.
If His touch brings healing, how much more His indwelling! What an awesome privilege and power to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. "O Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come to me, but speak the word of mercy, my spirit healed shall be."
Prayer: Jesus, may I love to receive Communion because I've fallen in love with You.
Promise: "I have come to call sinners, not the self-righteous." —Mk 2:17
Praise: The Lancaster family noticed how family tensions seemed to ease and disappear after all attended Mass together and received the Eucharist.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Eucharistic Obedience on audio AV 73-1 or video V-73.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard Walling, July 7, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004