Nineteenth Sunday in ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

We are continuing with our reading of chapter six of St John’s Gospel at Sunday Mass. Remember that the Gospel is connected thematically to the First Reading. There we hear the story of how Elijah was fed by an angel with bread from Heaven. This food was to be his viaticum or food for the journey to Mount Horeb. We often refer to our last Communion as viaticum since it is the supernatural food that gives us the strength to undertake our final journey towards eternal life. So the image of Elijah being fed by the angel is an image of what Jesus will give His Church the night before he died. Jesus is truly and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament. That is why when we come to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion a change occurs within us. As Saint Augustine says: Grow, and you shall feed upon me. You will not change me into yourself, as you change food into your flesh, but you will be changed into me. The words Our Lord spoke during the last supper are fulfilled with every Communion: If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. We use these weeks of reflection on the Holy Eucharist, to increase our faith and devotion in Jesus the Bread of Eternal Life.

Thursday, 15th August, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady, a Holyday of Obligation. Each year this lovely feast occurs in the middle of the holiday season, and reminds us that God loved His Mother so much that at the end of her earthly life, brought her body and soul into Heaven. Let us use his celebration once again, to renew our desire of Heaven and rejoice that Mary awaits us there with her Divine Son!

God bless you!

Msgr kevin Hale