Scripture: Lectionary # 178, Wed. of first week in Advent. Isaiah 25:6-10.
Psalm 23:1-3.3-4.5.6. Matthew 15:29-37:

Our most direct way of getting into the spirit of Advent is through the
liturgical readings that we listen to each day in the celebration of the
Eucharist. They give us many of the themes of Advent and make it easy for
us to ponder them over and deepen our faith of the heart in the
dispositions, habits, and virtues of this season of prayer and expectation.
In fact, they bring about the Coming of Christ now and help us to
understand the first coming of Jesus born of Mary and also his coming again
in glory and as King and Judge of all creation including us. We say and
sing Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus. He is already here through the word and
the sacrament. In fact the word for Advent in Greek is Parousia and it not
only means the second coming but also Christ's presence now.

The Gospel for today is also a reflection on the presence of Christ in an
act of thanksgiving and blessing. Something that is done at the Mass as
well. From this act we get the word Eucharist. It is used within today's
passage as Jesus takes the loaves and fish and blesses them, give thanks to
God the giver of all good gifts, and then has the disciples (deacons?)
distribute the food to the hungry crowd. We too gather with others when we
are at the Eucharist and Jesus feeds us with his words and his very self,
his Presence.

We are among those who feel the compassion of Jesus and benefit from it
whether we are blind in our faith, feeble in our humanity, crippled in our
thinking, or deaf to the surprises of God's word working away within us
whether we realize it or not. God comes to us in the Eucharist more than
we come to God. Jesus has asked God for food that is transforming for us
so that our hearts become open to love for all others even our dreaded
enemies. All the words and actions of this Gospel are presented to us in
the celebration of God's word and in the reception of the Eucharist. This
is what Advent is all about and it happens everyday of the year--just as
Christmas does in the Eucharist. Amen