Food always has been one of our basic necessities, but during these days approaching Thanksgiving, food takes on an even greater, more meaningful significance than usual. Shopping for and readying all the elements of the traditional holiday menu become matters of prime importance as we prepare to celebrate with family and friends.

At just this time, when we’re absorbed in holiday preparations, it’s good to slow down, take a step back, and recall the teachings of Jesus concerning food in various contexts. Often without His listeners realizing it, Jesus would broaden the teaching to make them – and us – aware of a far deeper need, as in this passage from the Gospel of Saint Matthew: “So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (6:31-33).

Jesus’ teachings involving food include the only miracle related in all four Gospel accounts – the story of the loaves and fishes. The account found in Mark (6:34-43) includes all the familiar elements – the “vast crowd” whose hunger moved Jesus’ heart to pity, the disciples’ consternation, the five loaves and two fish, the green field.

Thousands of people clustered there on the grassy banks – watching, waiting, hungry for more than mere earthly nourishment. Jesus’ actions foreshadowed His final meal on earth – eyes raised to heaven, words of blessing, loaves broken and given to His disciples to distribute. The evangelist sums up the miracle succinctly: “They all ate and were satisfied” (6:42). We can assume that the crowd’s satisfaction far surpassed the calming of the body’s call for sustenance; they had been feasting on Jesus’ words, after all.

Spiritual needs transcending physical appear again in Jesus’ encounter with Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42). Martha, clearly the more practical of the two, lost patience with her sister, who chose to sit listening at Jesus’ feet rather than help prepare and serve Him a meal. When Martha voiced her dissatisfaction with Mary, Jesus responded, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Mary’s hunger was of a spiritual nature, and she understood that it could be satisfied by simply listening to the Lord’s voice – “the better part”.

Focusing again on spiritual nourishment, we turn our thoughts to one of the most profound of all Scripture readings, the Bread of Life Discourse found in the Gospel of Saint John (6:22-59). Our passage (6:51) begins with a simple declarative sentence: “I am the bread of life;” and the astounding promise which follows – “whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The world-changing promise had been delivered.

At the Last Supper, Jesus guaranteed the fulfillment of that promise for all time and all people. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body’” (Matthew 26:26). We can assume that at this Passover meal, the disciples had no idea of the import of Jesus’ words and actions, or of the critical role they would play as the first group of men to perpetuate the sacrament instituted that blessed night – that night on which the promise was newly fulfilled.

In the post-Resurrection encounter with two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus repeated these same actions – the blessing, breaking, and distributing of bread, and “…was made known to them in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:30-31, 35). Thus, the example was set for people of faith to recognize their Savior and Lord in every Eucharist they receive. The promise of heavenly food, satisfying all hunger for all time, had been delivered, fulfilled, and reinforced.

Through the ages, many have scoffed at, misunderstood, doubted, or denied this central tenet of the Catholic faith. But for those who cling firmly to the reality of Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist, there is the wonder of that ever-mysterious satisfaction which only its devout reception can supply.

There is perhaps no more fitting conclusion to a reflection on Jesus and food than the Master’s own words as quoted in John 4:34 – “My food is to do the will of the One who sent me and to finish His work.” As at the outset, we recognize in this passage Jesus’ call to imitate Him by lifting our thoughts away from food that satisfies only for a time – yes, even on Thanksgiving Day – and to focus on that which gives true and lasting – in fact, eternal – satisfaction.

So by all means, let’s prepare the bird, make the stuffing, prep the veggies, bake the pies – but let’s take a moment to remind ourselves that the word Eucharist actually means thanksgiving. As we work, let’s whisper a prayer of gratitude for this most sacred food, the spiritual nourishment our souls crave. Best of all, before feasting at our own personal tables this holiday, let’s feast together at the table of the Lord, partaking in the truest Thanksgiving of all, Jesus Himself in the Eucharist.

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