Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/313



Nothing in  the  ancient  law  or  history  of  the  Jewish nation was  more  wonderful  than  the  manna,  which, during forty  years  together,  fell  from  heaven  to  feed  the people as  they  journeyed  through  the  desert. Hence David said  of  it,  "  He  has  made  a  remembrance  of  His marvellous  works,  He  hath  given  food  to  them  that  fear Him." (Ps. ex.  4.)  There  were  twelve  admirable  properties  in  the  manna,  but  they  exist  in  a  more  eminent degree in  the  holy  Eucharist.

I. The  manna  was  bread,  not  produced  from  grain  that had been  sown  in  the  earth,  that  had  been  tilled,  but came down  from  heaven;  so  it  is  with  the  holy  Eucharist, which "is  the  bread  that  came  down  from  heaven." (John vi. 59.)  And  the  Sacred  Body  of  Christ  which  proceeded not from  human  generation,  but  from  the  pure  Virgin, and by  the  Divine  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost.

II. The manna  was  made  only  by  angels,  hence  it  was called "  the  bread  of  angels." (Ps. lxxvii.  25.)  And  the Eucharist is  consecrated  only  by  priests,  who  are  called " the  angels  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts." (Malach. ii.  7.)

III. The manna  contained  in  itself  every  kind  of delight:  so  does  the  Eucharist  in  a  more  eminent  degree, " surpassing,"  as  St. Cyprian observes,  "  all  delicacies  prepared  for  the  taste;  and  all  the  dainties  of  sweet  meats."

IV. The manna  contained  such  a  variety  of  tastes  in itself  that  it  had  a  different  relish  for  every  one  that  desired it,  "  serving  every  man's  will,  it  was  turned  to  what every  man  liked." (Wisdom xvi.  21.)  In  like  manner  the Eucharist supplies  every  one  who  approaches  it  with