“As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” (Luke 9:12.)
Saint Ambrose of Milan offers the following insight on this verse from today’s Gospel proclamation:
“After the law has passed away, the food of the gospel begins to feed the hungry hearts of the people. It was fitting that those whom he had healed from the pain of wounds he freed from hunger with spiritual nourishment. Thus none receives the food of Christ unless he was first healed, and the calling first heals those who are called to the feast. If one was lame, he received the ability to walk, so that he came. If one lacked the sight of his eyes, he could indeed not enter the house of the Lord, unless his sight was restored.” (Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, 6.)
Collect
O God,
Who in this wonderful Sacrament
have left us a memorial of Your Passion,
grant us, we pray,
so to revere the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood
that we may always experience in ourselves
the fruits of Your redemption.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Who in this wonderful Sacrament
have left us a memorial of Your Passion,
grant us, we pray,
so to revere the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood
that we may always experience in ourselves
the fruits of Your redemption.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
