-Last Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at USCCB.org
-I will be celebrating mass this weekend at 12:30 only
The "bread of life discourse"
We begin a five week series of gospel texts from St. John called the "bread of life discourse". It is a multiplication miracle story with a theological explanation by Jesus in the form of a discussion if you will. The priests of St. Albert have decided to collectively approach these five weeks with an agreed-upon focus.
Underneath the five weeks of homilies is the liturgical and sacramental truth of the four presences of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic liturgy. The gathered community, the priest-presider, the Word proclaimed, and the consecrated Eucharistic species are the four presences of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic liturgy. This first week in the series will focus on the gathered assembly.
How do we gather? I am trusting that a majority of Catholics are convinced that they, sinful and unworthy, are required to come to a Catholic church in which a validly ordained priest will say the mass validly and they will fulfill their obligation and avoid sin by showing up. They will principally participate in that mass by being present for at least the Gospel, offertory, and consecration. If properly disposed, they will encounter the only real presence of Jesus within that event by receiving the consecrated Eucharist- take Communion.
How, rather, do we as the individually baptized members of the church constitute the very Body of Christ, head and members, in our assembling for the Eucharistic liturgy? Other than touch the water in the mini-fonts at the doors of the church, do we recognize and offer reverence to the body of Christ in and among the members of the assembled community? I didn't think so.
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I remember one time after our children had moved out of the house (for the final time), they both came home at the same time for a visit. My husband and I greeted them and we all stood together talking - animated, happy to be reunited. I was aware of something special happening at the time. There was a little excitement in the air - because we hadn't been together "as a unit" for awhile. There was a sense of appreciation that we each had for one another individually, and for "us" collectively. There was joy and there was love - because we were just glad to be together again, even for a bit.
I think this is the aim when we come together at Mass. I admit that sometimes when I walk in the doors of the church I forget; but my goal is to be present in this way when I come to worship - because we are God's family. I remember how happy my mother was when we, her children, would all be together for a big family dinner. She told me those were among her favorite moments in life. And so, I am imagining that God "feels" that way when we all come together as one Body to worship Him. But our call now is to recognize that - and to help one another experience that joy, and that connection which we do in fact share with one another. Things like this homily preparation of the Matador's, and knowing that the priests of our parish will be taking a united approach in their upcoming homilies, can help us a great deal in our own efforts of recognizing and acknowledging the Body when we see it.
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