Eucharistic Grace: Leftovers for the Taking

We see surprising similarities between the Old Testament Prophets and Jesus who walked the earth centuries later. In the 8th century BCE, God worked through the Prophet Elisha to multiply a very small amount of bread for about 100 people (2 Kings 4:42-44). He fed them all and had some left over. About 700 years later, as written in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus notices that a crowd of about 5,000 men (not counting the women and children) had been with him throughout the day without food. So Jesus directs his disciples to find a little food and they end up feeding the entire crowd with food left over. 

I don’t always pay attention to the leftovers. Jesus filled their stomachs and then filled their hearts with his Word. Jesus’ words even now continue to provide us what we need, so much so that it is too much to take in. He doesn’t only speak to certain people. God speaks to all who seek to know the truth that He alone can give. Jesus gives himself, his body and his word to all who welcome it. 

These miracle stories of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes teach us about Eucharist, particularly the abundance of Eucharist, the leftovers of Eucharist. We can say that there will always be something left over for those hesitant to approach the altar, who feel unworthy to receive Jesus, even for those who deem others as not worthy enough. There will always be Eucharist left over. God’s presence and grace abundantly spills over, for the taking. For there is more where that came from.