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Psalm Reflection: The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

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Psalm Reflection: The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” - Psalm 34

I cannot stand the taste of black olives. I find them disgusting, because I somehow associate the smell of them with the smell of ant spray. I don’t know why, but every time I see a black olive, I smell ant spray and get a terrible taste in my mouth. When I think about the Psalm this week, I think about a really, really good version of that taste and see relationship, one that amplifies and excites all our senses. 

I have definitely seen the goodness of God at work in my life. I have seen Him in the kindness of others, in service, in my most intimate relationships, and in profound experiences of prayer. But there is only one place that I have seen the goodness of God so palpably that I can taste it, and that is in the Eucharist. 

God wanted to dwell in us, to turn us into living tabernacles of His power and presence. God desires to be closer to us than we are to ourselves, and so He chose to be present to us — Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity — under the form of simple food: bread and wine. 

Every time we are present as Mass, we see the goodness of God made manifest on the altar, and we are able to receive that goodness in such a powerful way that we can actually taste it. And just like the sight of olives becomes immediately repulsive to me, the sight of the Eucharist alone should immediately reanimate us and draw us into the joy of God’s presence. 

So, this week, spend some time in front of the tabernacle or the Blessed Sacrament exposed in Adoration. Jesus is present there. He is not bound by a box, or by bread and wine. Jesus comes to us through the simple and unexpected, just as He did when He walked this Earth two thousand years ago. We have the world’s greatest gift waiting for us in the Eucharist. Go and spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist. Rejoice that we are able to both taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

MANNA is a ministry creating blogs and podcasts to encourage and inspire others to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ and live out their Catholic faith.