Dear friends,
This summer, we have been reading the reflections of Pope Francis on St. Joseph in his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde. At its conclusion, we published all of the questions and answers in the bulletin and, as you know, a test of what you learned will follow. Please get ready for the final exam! The questions with multiple choice answers will be printed in next weekend’s bulletin.
As we celebrate the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, our Scripture readings focus on Jesus as the finest example of a caring shepherd. The Evangelist Mark tells us that when Jesus saw the vast crowd who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of him, “his heart was moved with pity for them.” Take a moment of silence and pray Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
During this hurricane season, please make the necessary preparations to protect yourselves and continue to pray through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor to avert the deadly storms and spare us from harm:
“Our Father in Heaven, through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Also, I recommend that we pray Psalm 91 in appeal for God’s protection. Verses 11 and 12 speak thus: “For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”
As we continue the summer months of leisure and relaxation, I ask that you read a few paragraphs each weekend from Section Two, Article 3 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Sacrament of the Eucharist, as we reflect together and begin to more fully appreciate this precious and invaluable gift.
ARTICLE 3: THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
III. THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION
The signs of bread and wine
1335 The miracles of the multiplication of the loaves, when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, prefigure the superabundance of this unique bread of his Eucharist ( Cf. Mt 14:13-21; 15:32-39). The sign of water turned into wine at Cana already announces the Hour of Jesus' glorification. It makes manifest the fulfillment of the wedding feast in the Father's kingdom, where the faithful will drink the new wine that has become the Blood of Christ (Cf. Jn 2:11; Mk 14:25).
1336 The first announcement of the Eucharist divided the disciples, just as the announcement of the Passion scandalized them: "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"(Jn 6:60). The Eucharist and the Cross are stumbling blocks. It is the same mystery and it never ceases to be an occasion of division. "Will you also go away?" (Jn 6:67), the Lord's question echoes through the ages, as a loving invitation to discover that only he has "the words of eternal life" (Jn 6: 68) and that to receive in faith the gift of his Eucharist is to receive the Lord himself.
Be Blessed!
With love, Fr. John