The Gospel today continues the account of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand and His subsequent discourse on the “Bread of Life.” This extended reading of John 6 provides the occasion for a deeper meditation on the meaning of the Holy Eucharist, and on the celebration of the Mass. The Mass is truly a re-presentation of the one sacrifice of Christ. And since it is truly Christ Who is offered in the Sacrifice of the Mass, then it is Christ – Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity – Whom we receive at Holy Communion. Jesus frequently speaks of the life to come as a heavenly banquet, where we are all one with the Father. The Mass is also a banquet – a Sacred Banquet – during which we are nourished by the Body and Blood of the Lord. By our sharing in Holy Communion we express and strengthen our unity with and in Christ. By receiving the Body of Christ (Holy Communion), we reaffirm our being a part of the Body of Christ (His Church). The Mass is not just a social gathering. It is not a celebration of ourselves. It is our perfect prayer to the Father, because it is the perfect Sacrifice of Christ. Holy Sacrifice and Sacred Banquet. The Mass is both. We affirm and strengthen our unity by participating in the Sacred Banquet. But there is a Banquet only because there is first the Sacrifice.
Fall is the time for us to start our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) formation classes. These classes are for any person who is not baptized, or is baptized in another Christian church, and is interested in becoming a full member of the Catholic Church. For more info please call the parish office.