20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

08-18-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

“Amen, Amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.” John 6:53

Eating flesh and drinking blood was unimaginable for the Jewish people and if we are honest, even unimaginable for us. But Jesus is very intentional and strong in His words about the Bread of Life. As Catholics, we take this to truly mean that He gives us his flesh and blood in the Holy Eucharist. It is hard to imagine that God loves us so much that he wishes to share His divine life with us by feeding us with the one who saves us, Jesus.

At Mass, what appears to be bread and wine is substantially changed to His Body and Blood. It is called transubstantiation because it is the very substance that changes. The appearance (or accidents) remain the same - it looks and tastes like bread and wine. God, who creates all things and gives them substance, there very essence, is the only one who can make that change. God, Jesus, when He takes bread and says this is my body and then takes wine and says this is my blood - the bread and wine obey. It is forever changed – it is substantially changed forever. We receive the fullness of all that Jesus is as Savior. He shares his very divine nature. From previous weeks, we remember that His abundance and providential gift of grace is given to us to feed our deepest hunger and quench our thirst.

This is God’s plan for His people who remain on the journey to the Promised Land. He provides us with food for the journey so we can be nourished and strengthened in His divine power. Every time we enter into the Mass, we enter into the embrace of God who loves us, saves us, feeds us and sends us forth with the power of the Holy Spirit to be ambassadors of His love. We are disciples of Word and Sacrament. Called to live and be what we receive.

Remember every time you receive Holy Communion, you receive God who longs to be one with you. He is not distant or aloof, but rather is close and desires intimacy with you. He is your Savior, friend and companion. Say Yes to Jesus in the Eucharist. Amen!

This Tuesday, August 20th, is our parish Feast Day - Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. A French noble who became a monk and established numerous Cistercian Monasteries to spread God’s love and teach the richness of our Catholic Faith. His love for our Blessed Mother and Holy Scripture has provided the Church with a treasury of writings that help us in our faith. The centerfold of the bulletin has several quotes to pray with and, hopefully give you strength. He is a doctor of the Church and one we look to for wisdom and knowledge. A favorite quote of mine from him is, “There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is curiosity. There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is vanity. There are those who seek knowledge in order to serve; that is Love”. In that same spirit, may we all grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God in order to better serve and love.

Feast Day Blessings.

Peace in Jesus, Fr. Fred