There is a story of a very poor family who immigrated to the USA from Europe many years ago on an old fashioned ocean liner. Coming from an obscure country there was no one on board that could speak their language. Having no experience of a sea voyage they brought enough hard bread and cheese to last the journey. One meal time the youngest son was missing, after a while he came back after having eaten in the large dining room upstairs. The family was shocked but he assured them that another young boy whom he had met had explained to him in sign language that the meals were included in the price of the ticket.

The world is full of people like them totally unaware of the incredible Banquet of Life that God spreads for them each day in the Eucharist. Jesus says: “I am the Bread of Life, whoever eats this bread will live forever and the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world.” It is tragic that so many people go through life totally unaware of this great gift. But even more tragic is the fact that so many go through life aware of it but take it for granted and fail to really appreciate it.

“If we honestly want to posses Christ and be possessed by him, we have to work for it. This means living in such a way that our desire for Christ directs our heart and mind toward him, regardless of our obligations and activities. It means keeping God present during the day, visiting and receiving Christ in the Eucharist frequently, and living under the influence of the Eucharist” (Sacerdos Homilies)

This is the fourth week of reflections on the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ. The Gospels the last three weeks, this week and next are all a continuation of John’s Chapter on the meaning of the Eucharist. This is very unusual in terms of the Church’s liturgy and doesn’t happen very often. Usually the themes change every week. To devote four weeks to the Eucharist indeed stresses the importance that it must be in our lives. Let us make every effort to make the Eucharistic meal a very important part of our lives.

Picnic  – Please be sure to sign up today in the back of church for our parish picnic to be held Sunday, August 30th. If you can spare an hour or two that would be most helpful! Many hands are needed to make this a successful day.