eat like a baby
"Be as eager for milk as newborn babies." —1 Peter 2:2
It is important how strong our desires are. For example, when two teams of similar skill meet, the team that wants to win "the most" is most likely to win. Do you care if your spouse has a strong desire to be with you? I'm sure you do.
Although our desires will naturally vary, how strong, in general, should our desire be to receive the body and blood of Jesus at Holy Communion? How strong should our desire be to read the Bible, pray, make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation? The Lord teaches us that we should be as eager for the "milk of the Spirit" and the things of God as a newborn baby is eager to nurse (1 Pt 2:2). Newborn babies are well-known for their desire to be fed several times a day, even in the middle of the night. We by the power of the Spirit need to follow their example.
We must repent of stuffing ourselves with the things of the world and the flesh. Then we will be freed from spiritual anorexia, and we will have restored our baptismal appetite for the things of God. Turn off the TV. Noticeably simplify your life. Eat, drink, and buy less. Empty yourself (see Phil 2:7) and eat like a baby.
Prayer: Father, help me to recognize the causes of spiritual anorexia in my life.
Promise: "The blind man said, 'I want to see.' Jesus said in reply, 'Be on your way. Your faith has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and started to follow Him up the road." —Mk 10:51-52
Praise: Maude had the habit of keeping the TV on for "background" noise. God touched her heart, and now she waits for Him in the silence.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, July 28, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 1999