Manna from Heaven (Reflection: Corpus Christi Sunday)

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In our reading from Deuteronomy, God reminds the Israelites just before their entry into the Promised Land of how He constantly provided for them throughout the forty years of wandering in the Sinai wilderness. He did this by rescuing them from many dangers (both foreign nations and wild animals), making water flow out of a rock, and by making manna fall down from heaven to feed them.

The purpose of this provision was to humble them and test them, to see if they would trust Him or not. Alas, despite the many ways God provided for them, they continued to disbelieve and disobey, to the end that none of the original travellers over age 20 reached the Promised Land except for Joshua and Caleb.

This is a poignant reminder that we easily take God’s blessings for granted, and fail to give due reverence to the One who provides for all our needs. We should not show ingratitude or unfaithfulness when we see God’s provision in our lives. As St. Paul states, “these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.” (1 Corinthians 10:6)

Nevertheless, the provision God made in the wilderness was only temporary, and those who partook of it were nourished physically, but not spiritually. In our Gospel reading, Jesus teaches that the manna in the wilderness was a type of the Bread of Life, which is His own flesh.

Unlike the manna, His flesh is capable of nourishing our souls and giving it eternal life. Thus, St. Ignatius of Antioch refers to Christ’s flesh as “the medicine of immortality and the antidote against death, enabling us to live for ever in Jesus Christ.” (St. Ignatius to the Ephesians, ch. 20)

Those of us who are under the New Covenant have access to this source of spiritual sustenance through the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, which we commemorate this feast of Corpus Christi. Let us avail ourselves of this priceless gift, through which we may attain to eternal life.

J. Luis Dizon