August 11, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. (1 Kings 19:8)

Elijah is at the end of his rope. He had carried out great exploits in the name of God but is fearing for his life because the queen is bent on going after him with the full weight of Israel's army. God recognizes this and sends an angel to supply him with bread so that he can have the strength to reach his destination - the mountain of God.

Our goal is to complete our journey. When we cannot go on anymore, only heavenly food can give us strength. That bread from heaven is Jesus. He makes Himself available to us at the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian life. We can also partake of Him in other ways like praying, reading His Word, loving our neighbor and doing works of charity. We should not take these means of grace for granted, but by faith.