From the Pastor’s Desk
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Aug 25, 2024
“Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
-John 6:67
Brothers and Sisters,
Have you ever found yourself wanting to leave during a church service? Let’s be honest; sometimes, our minds wander during the sermon, and we might wish we were elsewhere. While our church community may be better than others where people leave before communion, we sometimes feel tempted to do the bare minimum. Consider our commitment to our faith: is it stronger than our commitments to work, a sports team, a club, or even our family?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus delivers a profound sermon, inviting the people to share in his eternal life. But it is not received with great enthusiasm; many leave in droves. In his humanity, Jesus must have felt deflated. Yet, with understanding and compassion, he recognizes that His teachings on the Eucharist are difficult. He turns to the few who remain. Peter speaks for them, saying, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
I encourage those who struggle with accepting the Eucharist as our Savior’s actual Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity to stay. Keep journeying with Jesus, even though the belief regarding the Eucharist can be challenging. As Peter notes, the Apostles did not believe everything at once. Faith is a journey that begins with openness to a God who loves us and intervenes in our world for us. Stay committed. Maintain the routine of Mass and prayer, and teach and serve our neighbors. Remember, our continued presence at worship is a personal journey and vital to maintaining and growing a healthy faith community. Living our faith is much easier when abiding together.
May the Lord bless the beginning of our school year, as most of our students return to classes this week. Let us cherish the opportunities to grow and learn, focusing on information and facts and growing in wisdom and virtue. For education to be truly healthy, it must be partnered with formation as we grow as disciples, recognizing that knowledge is a gift to be used for the greater glory of God.