Why did Jesus offer himself as "food and
drink"? The Jews were scandalized and the disciples were divided when
Jesus said "unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life
in you." What a hard saying, unless you understand who Jesus is and why he
calls himself the bread of life. The miracle of the multiplication of the
loaves, when Jesus said the blessing, broke and distributed the loaves through
his disciples to feed the multitude, is a sign that prefigured the
superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper. The
Gospel of John has no account of the Last Supper meal (just the foot washing
ceremony and Jesus' farewell discourse). Instead, John quotes extensively from
Jesus' In the Old Covenant bread and wine were offered in a thanksgiving
sacrifice as a sign of grateful acknowledgment to the Creator as the giver and
sustainer of life. Melchizedek, who was both a priest and king (Genesis 14:18;
Hebrews 7:1-4), offered a sacrifice of bread and wine. His offering prefigured
the offering made by Jesus, our high priest and king (Hebrews 7:26; 9:11;
10:12). The remembrance of the manna in the wilderness recalled to the people
of Israel that they live - not by earthly bread alone - but by the bread of the
Word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Jesus chose the time of the Jewish Feast of
Passover to fulfill what he had announced at Capernaum - giving his disciples
his body and his blood as the true bread of heaven. Jesus' passing over to his
Father by his death and resurrection - the new Passover is anticipated in the
Last Supper and celebrated in the Eucharist or Lord's Supper, which fulfills
the Jewish Passover and anticipates the final Passover of the church in the
glory of God's kingdom. When the Lord Jesus commands his disciples to eat his
flesh and drink his blood, he invites us to take his life into the very center
of our being. That life which he offers is the very life of God himself.
A Prayer for Father’s Day
Heavenly Father,
This Father's Day we remember the many sacrifices
fathers make for their children and families, and the ways--both big and
small--they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach.
So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families.
For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.
We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families.
For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.
We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
CLOSING SCHOOL MASSES AND
GRADUATION
Queen of Heaven Catholic Elementary School: Tuesday
June 27th 10:00 am
St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School: Wednesday
June 28th 10:00 am
St. Paul Catholic Secondary School: Thursday June
29th 10:00 am
Everyone is invited to attended any or all of our
closing/graduation Liturgies
Tuesday and Thursday evening Masses will remain at
7 pm as usual
Fr. Phil
