The Catholic Church offers a three year cycle of Scripture readings for Sundays. In year A, during Ordinary Time, we read the Gospel of Matthew; in year B, Mark in year C, Luke. We read the Gospel of John during the Christmas and Easter seasons in all three years. We are this year in B and we read the Gospel according to Mark.
However, during the summer, the Church interrupts Mark for several weeks so that we can read John Chapter 6, Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Eucharist. We began last week with the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes for the feeding of the 5000 people. Over the next few Sundays, we will hear Jesus’ very explicit announcement of His real presence in the Eucharist. “My flesh is real food and my blood real drink!”
We Catholics have preserved Jesus’ teaching and we understand the words of Jesus literally. When we receive Holy Communion, we really take into ourselves the true body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.
My experience is that Catholics do believe this, but that we do not appreciate the amazing reality of our intimate communion with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Receiving communion can unfortunately become routine and we can receive and go home without truly appreciating the immense love of Jesus who chooses to unite Himself to us intimately.
When you receive Jesus in Holy Communion, take time to ponder what you have received, rather whom you have received!
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Light the City
Mark your calendar. On Saturday, August 10, our young adults will be on the street in the evening, inviting passersby to come into the church to light a candle and to pray. We need street evangelizers, but we also need people just to be in the church at prayer when people respond to the invitation and enter our church. The prayer visitors need to see us at prayer. Please plan to spend August 10 evening in church and in prayer.
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults will begin in September and will end at Easter. These weekly Zoom classes are for people who are considering being baptized or received into the Catholic Church. It is also for Catholics who have not been confirmed and for people who want to deepen their understanding of the Catholic Church’s teachings. All are welcome. Classes are held on Monday nights and will begin on September 16. Recordings are available each week for those who cannot watch on Mondays. If you would like to receive Zoom invitations to the classes, please email Father Tom below.
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