Dear Parishioners,

This is the last week of us reading the Bread of Life discourse from the 6th chapter of John. It has been a five week journey of reflecting, pondering and exploring the great gift of the Eucharist in our lives as Catholics. As a recap, the first week reminded us of God’s abundant love bestowed on His people in the feeding of the great multitudes with just five loaves and two fish. God’s love and grace is not stingy but overflowing when we trust in Him.

The second week we were reminded of our hunger to be fed not just food for the belly but the deeper spiritual food of mercy, love, peace and joy. The third week we reflected on God providing for His people, not worldly things or an easy life, but rather what truly sustains us — the life of Christ – His love, forgiveness and salvation. Last week Jesus invited us to eat His flesh and drink His blood, an invitation to be one with Him and His divine life. God’s wisdom leads us to His real presence in the Eucharist and ultimately our call to be present to Him and one another in our daily lives.

This final week many of Jesus’ disciples say, “This saying is hard, who can accept it?’ to eat His body and drink His blood. Many left and returned to their former ways of life. Jesus asked the twelve if they too want to leave. Simon Peter responds, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter and the other apostles and disciples will face challenges. They will journey with the Lord and ultimately witness His suffering and death; be surprised by His resurrection. Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, they began sharing His word and breaking the bread as a community. It was at His command to eat His body and drink His blood that sustained the Church as it was growing and continues to this day for all who wish to stay and follow Him. We have the words of eternal life and bread from heaven – the gift of the Eucharist. WE too, respond as individuals and a community in our commitment to the breaking of the bread – the Holy Eucharist. When we gather every Sunday for Mass, God provides in abundance — He feeds our deepest hunger and quenches our thirst, He is truly present body, blood, soul and divinity so we can be truly present to one another and to those in need. The real test of faith is how we follow Him and celebrate His love in our daily lives.

While it is hard to believe, we do so in faith. Hard to believe God becomes man, hard to believe He cures lepers, hard to believe He raises Lazarus from the dead, hard to believe He feeds the multitudes, hard to believe He walks on water and calms the sea. Hard to believe His great love for each and every one of us — we are His beloved. His love saves and changes our hearts. When we eat His body and drink His blood, we share in His divine and eternal life — His love.

May we find strength in our commitment to being Eucharistic people.

Prayers and blessings,

Fr. Fred

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