Pastor's Corner
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Times we 7/27/24-7/28/24
The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time brings with it an offering from the Gospel of John which should be familiar to even the most marginal of practicing Catholics. When Jesus sees that over five thousand men have followed Him awaiting more of His teaching and wisdom, He inquires of the disciple Philip,"where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" He poses this question because He knows that the true food with which He will satisfy them is not the fish and loaves which will be multiplied miraculously but rather His words of wisdom for which they will be forever grateful. The announcement of the people that He is the Prophet who has been expected is not merely a statement of gratitude for the appearance of the food, but is a statement of faith which proclaims His Messianic promise.
We are fed with a promise from Jesus Himself each time that we speak an amen to the profession of faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We do not merely announce the symbol of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. but we believe that here, at Mass, is celebrated the true presence of Christ and that when we take and eat of His Body and Blood we participate in a real way in the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, offered for our salvation. The National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis this past week is a verification of our belief in the True Presence of Christ offered at Mass and to us so that we might have the hope of unity with Him in eternity. We understand our participation in the celebration of the Eucharist as that offer of life giving grace which provides us with an increased capacity to love both God and neighbor. Without this conviction, our lives in God would make no sense.
Thanks and have a great week!
God Bless, Fr. Joe