Dear Parishioners,

The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) recalls Holy Thursday, the first day of the Triduum, and the God who feeds with the real Eucharistic presence of Jesus. Last Sunday, we celebrated the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity and the communion between Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We remember that we enter most intimately into this communion in the Eucharist. 

Dr. Elizabeth M. Nagel and Elaine Park (SSL) together clearly write about what today's Corpus Christi Gospel from John 6:52-58 - means to all of us. 

“Jesus is trying to make the people understand that his flesh is true food and his blood true drink. He alone can provide the nourishment they need to sustain the life that he is offering them.  

He wants to be so clear about this that he states his bold claim twice: those who do not participate in the Eucharistic meal will not have life within them; and, those who do eat his flesh and drink his blood will have eternal life. And Jesus will raise them up to live with him forever.” Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and Proclaimers of the Word (p. 200).

On this Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, we are grateful for the Eucharist that binds us to our loving Jesus and our neighbor. May the “life within us” enable us to show appreciation to our friends, reach out to our neighbor in need, welcome the stranger, even those from another culture or race. We need not fear what people say or do for this food from Heaven - Christ the Lord will give us the courage and strength to live the Gospel of Charity in season and out. 

It is not about political correctness, nor being liberal or conservative. It is about being a friend! It is about being Christian!

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends...” John 15:13.

Enjoy the summer!