for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I am always impressed by the size of my diocese, the Diocese of Ogdensburg, I noticed this even more this past when I drove over to the western side of the diocese – and also was again deeply impressed by the Adirondack Mountains – as I drove through the Adirondack Park. The purpose of the trip was the summer gathering of the priests from this diocese who have served for a time in our parish in Peru, South America. The ride was about three hours – and traveled through the heart of the Adirondacks – on a rather beautiful day – and did bring back many memories of other adventures in the various parishes that I drove through.
St. James Church, Gouverneur, was the very first parish that I served in after ordination – as an Associate to Monsignor Joe Bailey, the pastor. One of the first friendships that I established as a young priest was with an eighth grader in Gouverneur all those years ago – she is now living back in Gouverneur – so I called and arranged to visit her and her husband for lunch on that day. It turned out to be a sensational visit – I spent the good part of the afternoon with Mary Beth and her husband, Phil – remembering all sorts of stories from the past. I remember her mother well – she enjoyed breaking in new, young priests in those days – with all of her advice – I still remember many of her rather timely suggestions. And to add to the day – her brother, Rick, was visiting from California – and her sister, Rita, from Oneonta – they were all still in school when I was in the parish – and it was great fun to hear about their families and various successes.
The priests’ gathering was equally rewarding on that day - an opportunity to remember – share from that wonderful parish in Southern Peru, in which we had all served. It was a unique ministry for us – we were not professional missionaries by any means – but we did get a wonderful taste of the life of a missionary. We did get to share in this new and different culture and had our opportunity to learn a new language. It was further interesting that now we could communicate with many of the folks down there in ways we could not before – like email and facebook and such.
So – it was a fascinating week for me – now a brief moment to consider this Sunday’s Scriptures – again, this week – as for the last two – the Gospel reading is from the same chapter of John’s Gospel – John 6 – the Discourse on the Bread of Life. I must admit that I am still struggling a bit in deciding how I will continue the teaching on the Holy Eucharist – in a way that will be understandable to the people – make this sacrament touch their lives in a special way.
This Sunday’s reading from John 6 begins with the people having difficulty in accepting Jesus – as someone sent to bring this sacred and profound message to them. And their first response is that they know his parents – and there is also implied that we have known him since he was a child. They hesitate to listen to Jesus – they just can’t accept him. Could it be possible that even today – Mass and the reception of Holy Communion have become so ordinary for us – that we miss the magnificence and importance of this moment in time – that we miss the grandeur of this moment.
Jesus goes on attempting to teach the people – and us – of how much he wants to be a part of our lives – through this sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. He says, “I am the living bread that came down from Heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” Our first reaction is much like that of those people of old – too much to accept – I say to you now – trust your experience. I believe that those who have experiences the Holy Eucharist – those who have received Holy Communion often – for those who have made the Holy Mass a frequent and important part of their lives – know only too well how different their lives are – Jesus brings to us his life and spirit – so what we do and how we live is in the Spirit of Our Savior. I know only too well in my own life how important and precious the Holy Eucharist is for me – it is my strength and my support – it is my life – it is my way of bringing Jesus more completely into my life. I know Jesus – I know God – better – through this Sacrament – than through some book – Jesus reveals more of his identity to me – Jesus brings the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – into my life – to abide with me.
The reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians – gives us the pattern to live by – a huge challenge – and, yet, with the constant support of the Holy Eucharist – it is possible – “All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Be imitators of God – live in love.”
So we have the challenge – but we need a strong relationship with Our Savior – and we find that in the Blessed Eucharist. It is our very sustenance – Jesus comes to us in the Sacrament and stays with us as our guide and Lord – when we are open and accepting.
What a moment. I remember well a conference of some sort for us priests – and the presenter – a priest – reminded us of the importance of the distribution of Holy Communion. He used the expression – this is their moment – I remember this often when I prepare to receive the Holy Eucharist at the altar – this is my moment – my opportunity – to bring Jesus into my life – in a such a special way.
What a sacrament we have in the Eucharist.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father – I thank you, Lord – I thank you for your care and concern for me – I thank you for the Blessed Eucharist – you have blessed me through my ordination to offer Mass, to bring your presence into the Mass – into the Eucharist – into this community – help me – that I may always be aware of your presence with me at the altar – and in my life – that I may live well in your Spirit and bring that life and Spirit to all who I meet. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer.
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