A few weeks ago in the early evening, I was in Adoration after dropping my daughter off at dance class. I was crazy distracted by the hunger I was feeling. I was not just a little hungry, I was that sort of “a little weak and shaky” hungry compounded with my body detoxing from Covid 19 stress eating. I had recently begun a food detox for my body and boy was I detoxing – achy legs, headache, foggy brain. I struggle with concentration as it is, but there I was, so anxious to spend some quiet time with God and I could not focus on anything except the hunger I was experiencing. Then I remember a little but important thing about prayer: God is present in every situation, and every state we find ourselves in – physical, emotional, and spiritual – we can use it all as prayer.  So I thought I’d give it a try. “Lord, I am so hungry right now…my stomach actually hurts and I forgot to pack a snack. But Lord, I’m asking You to help me direct that hunger toward You. I’m asking You to help me get in touch with my deep spiritual hunger for You through this physical hunger right now. Help me to crave You and desire You so much that nothing will satisfy me unless it is You and from You.”  And I prayed like that for a little longer.

Ten minutes went by and a priest walked into the chapel and unlocked the tabernacle. He began taking consecrated hosts out of the ciborium and putting them into his pyx. I assumed he was taking Jesus to the homebound. When he was finished, he locked the tabernacle turned to those of us in the chapel and asked “would anyone like to receive communion today?” Then, looking directly at me, he said “would you like to receive Jesus?” Immediately I rose from my seat and went to him to be FED BY JESUS. I kid you not. I returned to my seat, filled by His love and in awe of His unexpected gift to me. How great is our God. He is the God of surprises! He truly satisfies the hungry heart and empty stomach!