Eucharistic meditation

Matthew 7:9-11: Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

As we saw in the sermon, these verses, in context, have to do with power and politics. In contrast to the Jews, who entrusted their holy things and pearls to the Gentile dogs and pigs, and paid the price for that, Jesus instructs us His disciples to rely on the protection and patronage of the Father. We don't need the assistance of the Gentiles outside. We have a Father in heaven who gives good gifts.

These verses teach us something about our Father, and about the Father who gives us the food of this table. He does not give stones and serpents to His children, but gives us what they need – bread and fish, bread and wine. This weekly meal is a weekly reminder of the generous goodness of our Father, who gives good gifts to His children.

But when we apply these verses to this table, we shouldn't lose that political dimension. This table is also a weekly reminder of who our Benefactor is. One of the great idolatries of the ancient world was the idolatry of the state. Rome promised to provide bread and fish, bread and circuses, to her citizens. Rome promised to take care of its own, from cradle to grave. Just trust Papa, and he will take care of you.

Modern politics is in the grip of the same idolatry. When there is a problem, we look to the state to solve it. Presidential candidates offer their various versions of health care, promising that they can deliver us from the curse if they can only get the prescription drug amendment passed or push through some overhaul of the health care system. On every other issue, modern politics makes similar promises.

If we trust ourselves to these programs and politicians, we are throwing pearls before dogs and pigs, and they will turn to trample and devour us. This table is a weekly exhortation not to trust in princes, but in our heavenly Father, who answers when we ask, who gives when we seek, who opens when we knock, who feeds the hungry and gives drink to the thirsty.

posted by Peter J. Leithart on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 07:59 AM

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