(1Kgs.19:4-8; Ps.34:2-9; Eph.4:30-5:2; Jn.6:41-51) "Strengthened by that food he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb." As the forty days and forty nights Noah found himself protected from the rains by the Lord; as the forty years the Israelites were guided through the desert; as the forty days Jesus found strength in the Word of God while fasting in the wilderness… as Elijah is fed for his journey, so we for the fullness of our days feed upon "the bread of life" as we travel to the heavenly kingdom of our Lord. Here is our ark; here is our manna – here is all the strength and protection we need. He is our food. "His praise shall be ever in my mouth," for His food is ever on our altar, and this Sacrament fills us with nothing but joy. If we had not this food, indeed "bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling" would come from our mouths so poisoned by the fruit of the world. But as it is "Christ loved us and handed Himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma," and thus we "taste and see how good the Lord is" and cannot but "glorify the Lord" and "extol His name." That "the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them" is illustrated clearly in the trials of Elijah. Overwhelmed by "all [his] fears," the "afflicted" prophet "prayed for death, saying, 'This is enough, O Lord! Take my life.'" But "from all his distress [God] saved him," for an "angel of the Lord… touched him, and ordered, 'Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!'" And Elijah "got up, ate, and drank" the food and water the Lord provided, and made it safely to the mountain where the Lord God would speak to him. "This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die." All strength and blessing come from the Lord through His only Son. And being drawn to Him and so discovering the Father of all, what can our faces be but "radiant with joy," the joy of His eternal, loving presence? Let us come this day to the holy mountain of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Body of Christ" from The Whole Whale, eighth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, you give us the flesh of your Son that we might live, and you send your angels to guard us. YHWH, your Son has given His flesh as a sacrificial offering that we might eat of this Bread and be strengthened for our journey to eternal life on your holy mountain. Help us to walk with you, to walk with Him as your beloved children, your angel at our side, your Holy Spirit within us to bless us and keep us faithful to you until the Day of redemption is fulfilled. O let us be taught by you! Let us come to your Son and be fed with His Body and Blood, with the Word He is, offered for our salvation. Why should we murmur among ourselves, dearest LORD? Why should we doubt and fear your presence among us and your care for us? Why do we court death in our despair? You are near! You hear the afflicted man when he calls out – you have delivered us from death by sending us your Son. Let us glory in the gift you give us. Let us taste your goodness this day.