image-i-nations trésor

The Alphabet of Lent – Letter N

N for Nourish

Food is an essential part of daily life, wherever in the world we find ourselves.
Nowadays, publicity does not fail to display what is seen as appropriate choices in terms of food.
Advice, recommendations, suggestions of healthy dishes, information about diets, nothing is missing.

It is interesting to note that the topic of nourishment comes back also… in the gospels!
More than once, Jesus speaks about it.
The texts of the gospel speak at least twice about occasions that lead to a memorable miracle.

The text of Luke shows us the apostles, after a long period of teaching, asking Jesus to send back the people (Luke 9:12-17).
“Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging”.

We know what happened: Jesus nourished (provided food for) the crowd of 5000 people by multiplying five loaves and two fishes.

An interesting detail is given to us at the end of the story of the young daughter of Jairus whom Jesus brought back to life.
The text mentions clearly:

“Jesus told them to give her something to eat (Luke 8:55).

Yet, we must remember what took place during Jesus’ retreat in the desert.
Tempted by Satan to change stones into loaves of bread to feed himself, Jesus replied to the one tempting him:

“A human being does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Deeper still is the affirmation of Jesus who says:
“I am the bread of life,
he who comes to me will never be hungry” (John 6:34).

During this period of Lent, it is good to ask oneself what truly satisfies us…
Does the word of God nourish me every day?…
Do I welcome his presence – bread-of-life – giving me the abundant life (John 10:10) that he offers me from day to day?…

Perhaps I would need to adjust… my menu…

 

Source: Images: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 

 

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B

In all religions, whatever be the name and description of a given set of beliefs,
there are principles and prescriptions,
rites, and rituals, and regulations,
commandments and observances.

Whichever way they are formulated, there are admonitions saying:
“Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.”
The language used indicates clearly the ‘should’, the ‘must’, the ‘have to’
that guide the believers of a certain group.
And the behaviour of the faithful is meant to translate these into concrete actions.

This is the whole area of what WE are expected to do for God.
It is sometimes described at length and with much insistence.
Yet, this is only one side of the coin, only one aspect of religion.
There is the whole area of what GOD does for us.

This aspect is presented to us in a beautiful and inspiring way
in some of the texts of this 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B.
God’s messenger acting in his name,

“brings good news to the poor,
binds up hearts that are broken,
proclaims liberty to captives,
proclaims a year of favour from the Lord.”  (1st reading: Is.61:1-2,10-11)

“His mercy reaches from age to age,
the hungry he has filled with good things,
he comes to the help of his servant,
he remembers to show mercy.”   (Response: Lk.1:46-50,53-54)

Why do we concentrate so much on what we should do for God?
This season of Advent is a good time to change our focus and, at long last,
to consider and marvel at all that God does for us, day after day!

Source: Image: 123RF Stock Photos