Last Sunday was the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. St. Michael's and Sacred Heart parishes made it into a joint prayerful effort. It was something to see. We accompanied Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament from our church up Ridge Rd. to Sacred Heart. This is one expression of our Faith; but it's a very important one.
In last week's homily, I encouraged everyone to read the Gospel St. John chapter 6. Our Lord says:
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. (vv. 54-56)
From this time on, the true disciples of Jesus believed this. They may not have understood how it could be that they would eat His Flesh and drink His Blood; but they didn't doubt that somehow it would happen. Indeed, it did happen at the Last Supper; and it has happened and continues to happen at every Mass. What a privilege to consume the Body and the Blood and the Soul and the Divinity of Christ. That is why it is so important to appreciate this Gift. All of us must prepare ourselves with prayer and good Confessions to receive our Lord.
Let us pray for those who do not know this Gift—for those who think that the Eucharist is only a symbol of Jesus' presence. It is sad to say that some Catholics think this way. May they read slowly and prayerfully John 6 and then meditate on this truth. May they know the joy of having the real Presence in every tabernacle of every Catholic church throughout the world.
God has given us the greatest Gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist. He has also given us other gifts, particularly the gifts that we should especially recognize today: that is, the gifts of our earthly fathers. May we always show our appreciation to our fathers and to those men who are not biological fathers but who guided and helped us a long the way of life. May each of us honor and pray for them every day.
Fr. Stanley
