Prophetic Words from a Child

THE REAL PRESENCE
welded art sculpture 
by RALPH GUIDROZ
Sara Fontana's father


What is that? What is that?" The child's voice broke the silence of the congregation that was focused on the Priest who was holding up the Host during the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. After reverently placing the Host back on the altar and genuflecting, the priest stood up and looked out at the congregation. He said, "I have to stop a minute. I'm sure everyone heard the child just now. What you may not know is that in Hebrew the word MANNA means 'What is this?' That child yelling out just now was prophetic! This is Jesus, our Manna from heaven!" After he said these words to the congregation, the priest attempted to begin reading the Eucharistic Prayer once again. He started with so much emotion and at one point had to stop because he was holding back tears. At that moment, I began to truly hear the power of the words of the Eucharistic Prayer.

These words, said by priests around the world during mass for centuries and that I have heard so many times in my life as I knelt at mass. These words that I have often stopped listening to, allowing my mind to wander, because I had heard them before. These words and actions by the priest  transubstantiate bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. The power of words and actions. The power of The Word, Jesus Christ, coming into our lives in a real way.

The child's question should break  into my internal, wandering mind as the Eucharist Prayer is being spoken. "What is this?" Once bread and wine; THIS is the real presence of Jesus Christ! I am grateful for the prophetic child's voice crying out during mass reminding me to ask the question, "What is this?" My faith response and my belief...THIS is Manna from heaven. THIS is the real presence of Jesus Christ!

Reflection on Exodus 16:2-15 and John 6:24-25, 51-55

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