Learn – Grow – Be Formed

08-04-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

We continue to read from the sixth chapter of John – the Bread of Life discourse. This week Jesus recognizes the physical hunger we have for food and water, but wants us to understand that we have an even deeper hunger and thirst that only God can feed and quench. Ultimately, receiving His Body and Blood is being united to God and becoming one with Him who satisfies all hunger and thirst for meaning, purpose and true peace.

So it is good for us to really think beyond physical hunger and thirst to what it is that we ultimately hunger and thirst for? Some in the world want success, money, power, safety and security. They strive for it with all they have and are left in frustration trying to create a utopia or perfect world. When we hunger for true peace, love and joy – we find God. The world does not look different, there remains good and bad, joys and sorrows, but the way we live as Christians is different. We are confident in the Lord and trust that He feeds our deepest hungers and thirsts. Ponder this week how we are fed in the Eucharist – the very real gift of God’s Son, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. The Eucharist contains the very essence of all Jesus is – His love, mercy, justice, forgiveness, compassion and strength. In Him we can endure all things. We find true peace and our deepest desires are satiated. For we have the very Bread of Life.

Learn – Grow – Be Formed is our new call as a parish to learn more about Jesus and the Church, our Catholic faith. As disciples, we are called to learn, soak in God’s words and ways in order to live as true missionaries. This means we strive continually to form our minds and hearts. We can do so in many ways through classes, books, study groups, etc. We are blessed to now be part of the Augustine Institute’s FORMED subscription service. There is more information in our bulletin centerfold on how to enroll and access thousands of videos for you and your family to grow. Each week, we will promote a video for us to watch as a community. Please take time to watch it and then talk about it with your family and friends. What surprised you? What did you learn? How did it move you to deeper charity/love for your family, neighbor, and community?

Formation is an ongoing journey. We continue to grow but only if we feed ourselves with good food – starting always with Eucharist but also with God’s Word and the teachings of the Church. It is a blessing to be on a journey together. One where we strive to grow in holiness and love for the Lord and one another. We are called to a deeper relationship with Him and with the people He places in our lives.

May the Holy Spirit enkindle in us a renewed sense of our hunger and thirst for God’s abundant love as we are fed in the Eucharist here at Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Commit to being a missionary disciple and share that abundant love with a friend or coworker this week.

Peace and goodness in Him,

Fr. Fred