The contemplation is inspired by the gospel reading for this week, Luke 9, the feeding of the 5000 and the mystery of how we can be spiritually fed.

It is amazing how receptive young children are. Everything they encounter effects them. For at every moment, the child’s spirit wants to be filled with life, sorrow and joy, receiving whatever is poured into their soul, like an empty chalice.

Within each one of us, deep within every heart there is also a chalice. This chalice in us is our spirit. Because when our spirit is active, we become empty of distractions and intimately filled with whatever life pours into us in the moment; like children. When the chalice of our spirit is active we allow ourselves to be filled, engaged, touched by what is here, now!

And yet, to become adult and to learn to cope with the sorrow and pain of this world, we learn to cover this chalice, protect our hearts from having to feel everything, learn to detach. The adult separates from the world and for good reason.

But when we practice Christian meditation, or go to the First Class or the Act of Consecration with this adult detachment, with this inner separation from what is trying to fill our souls, we will not be able to receive what wants totransform us. In order to receive Christ at the altar, we can no longer be mere spectators as if what is happening in front of us is a movie. We can no longer remain distant adults.

For the secret of receiving the spiritual nourishment that is pouring out from the altar, is to become like children again, to uncover the chalice of our spirit and allow the Word in! This means to practice feeling deeply what we are praying, trusting that what is happening now is of utmost importance, really believing that the touch we receive at communion is Christ Himself…HIS love filling our hearts, filling our spirit.