Notes from the Pastor

In today’s Second Reading, James puts a special emphasis on that fact that that our faith cannot be empty or shallow. We must put our faith into action if it is to mean anything at all. Do we contribute money or time to the St. Vincent de Paul Society to help the poor of our community? Do we volunteer time to help at food banks or to visit the elderly or the imprisoned? Do we assist in a liturgical ministry as an usher, lector, choir member, or altar server? These are just a few examples. We must be willing to put our faith into action if we are to be an authentic disciple of Jesus Christ.

The coming days are rich with feast days of the Church. On Wednesday the 12th is the Feast of The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Mary” was a popular name among the Hebrew people, in memory of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. Some scholars think that this name is perhaps related to an Egyptian word meaning “beloved,” which certainly fits Mary of Nazareth. She was so beloved by God that God chose her to be the Mother of Jesus, and for this purpose God preserved her from the stain of sin from the first moment of her conception in the womb of her mother, St. Ann (Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception). No sin would distort or destroy her relationship with God. We honor Mary’s name and the holiness that it represents, and we call upon her intercession in our times of need.

Do you think it is possible to become so focused, so involved with something that you overlook the bigger picture and perhaps even forget why you are doing it in the first place? In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and scribes were so focused on the disciples of Jesus eating their meals with unwashed hands that they did not pay any attention to God’s commandments.

Following in the footsteps of Jesus sometimes means being willing to accept a certain amount of suffering and pain so that, at times, one might become discouraged and tempted to give up. So what helps us to keep going when the going gets tough? How do we remain faithful to the call to discipleship when the cross we carry gets heavy? The readings from today’s Liturgy of the Word give us some help and encouragement.

Do you believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? Tragically, a sizeable number of Catholics do not, especially among the younger generation. Today’s Gospel Reading (John 6:51-58) offers us an opportunity to reaffirm our own faith in the Real Presence. In this reading, we hear Jesus promise that whoever eats this bread will live forever. In a culture that is obsessed with putting off death and extending the appearance of youth, one would think that such a promise would indeed be good news, even though Jesus is referring to eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Word of the Lord is spirit and life. It is spoken with sincere love and concern for our lives. Through His Word, God calls us to be holy as He is holy. Through His Word, God forms us to be His people. Through His Word, He strengthens us. We must be open to listen to His Word and to accept it into our hearts. In doing so, we receive the blessings that strengthen us to fulfill its commands and teachings in our daily lives. As God’s Word takes root in our daily lives, we manifest the presence of God to the world. This Living Word of God leads to eternal life.

n our First Reading today (Genesis 16:2-4, 12-15), God gave the Israelites bread from Heaven to sustain them on their Exodus journey from slavery in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land. The manna appeared on the ground each morning near the place where the people had camped. They could gather only what they needed for that day. If anyone tried to hoard more than a day’s portion, it would spoil overnight and could not be eaten the next day. Only on the sixth day (Friday) could they gather and save enough Manna for two days so that they could observe the Sabbath rest on Saturday and avoid the work of gathering Manna on the Sabbath. This manna truly was their daily bread, and God provided it in this way so that they could learn to trust that God would look out for them and provide for them.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah spoke of the expectations of the Lord God that were not only applicable in Old Testament times, but in our times as well. In Micah 6:6-8 it is written: “You have been told, Oh man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” And yet, throughout salvation history there has been a tendency on the part of human beings to ignore God, or at best, be complacent in their relationship with God.