“Our hearts were made for thee, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in thee.”

St. Augustine

Our family has a fond appreciation for the Pelican.

My Mary’s garden showcases a favorite plaster depiction and our eldest son treasures a carved wooden Pelican he has had since he was about 10 years old. This carving has remained with him during adolescence, his years at West-Point; as well as, throughout his military travels. He received it, all those years ago, while on holiday visiting his grandparents in Florida and grew up believing his grandfather hand-carved it.

Fulton Sheen gave the lesson many times on the importance of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the spirit of my recent post(s) regarding the Beautiful Eucharist and its importance in our Catholic Faith I would like to share the following lesson Fulton Sheen gave on the nourishment we receive from this divine gift. When our Blessed Lord saw a very hungry crowd, He said, I am sorry for the multitude for they have nothing to eat. What He gave them on that occasion is the subject of this lesson.

*You may find this profound lesson in its entirety in the book Beautiful Eucharist , written by Matthew Kelly.

let us begin…

…that every living thing must nourish itself. Life lives by life and the joy of living is enhanced by communion with another form of life.

Everything in this universe demands a nourishment that is suited to its nature. A canary does not use the same kind of food as a boa constrictor because its nature is different. Man’s soul is spiritual and therefore it demands a spiritual food. Now what will that food be? Well, that question was answered by our Blessed Lord.

He who said that He was the Bread of Life, now in the words of the Gospel, took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them saying, this is my body given for you. Notice, He said over the bread, this is my body. He did not say this represents my body, this symbolizes my body, this is a token of my body, but this is my body. And notice that He also said, given for you. Given on the Cross. And then taking the chalice He said, drink all of you of this, for this is my blood of the New Covenant, shed for many to the remission of sins. Over the chalice of wine He said, this is my blood, not this represents, but this is.

Does our Lord mean what He says? We believe it. What makes our faith unique is this: that we do not pick and choose among the words of our Blessed Lord. We do not fool around with them. When He says whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, we believe it. That is why there is the Sacrament of Penance. And now when He says this is my body, this is my blood, we believe it.

So the law of communion continues through the universe. If the plants could speak, they would say to the animals: unless you eat me you shall not have life in you. If the animals could speak, they would say to man: unless you eat me you shall not have life in you. And Christ speaks to us and says: unless you eat me you shall not have life in you. The law of transformation holds sway. Chemicals are transformed into plants, plants into animals, animals into man, and man into Christ. Christ the Divine Pelican. According to the legend, the pelican wounds itself in order that it might nourish its young.

So He gave His life to sustain our life and the greatest joy in the world: His communion with the very life of God.

Fulton Sheen

Lord Jesus, set a fire in my heart that is hungry to find the way, set a fire in my heart that is hungry to discover the truth, set a fire in my heart that is hungry for the fullness of life you spoke of when you walked the dusty roads of Galilee 2000 years ago. And remind me in all things that you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Amen.

Is there a fire burning in your heart?

hugs n’ blessings to all those dependent upon God.