FRIDAY.
The Holy Eucharist compared to Manna.— I.
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
