St. Mary’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel
When the crowd says this is impossible and begin to leave, Jesus intensifies his gift. As all students taking a beginner’s course on John learn, Jesus uses the normal verb for
“to eat”
in the first part of his teaching, but after people question and turn away he uses the verb
“to chew”
or
“to gnaw.”
By doing so, the Lord intensifies the reality of his presence in his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Almost commonplace to us raised in the faith, but a scandal at first hearing. What a profound mystery! And yet, what a very real gift we are given.
St. Thomas Aquinas wrote some of the most beautiful and sublime hymns for the feast in particular and on the Eucharist in general. One of them that many of us are familiar with is Adoro te Devote (Devoutly I Adore Thee). In this as in many of his Eucharistic hymns, Aquinas makes a point that our senses deceive us in the Eucharist and true faith gives sight. We believe what Jesus said.
My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink….This is my Body…This is my blood.
One verse of the hymn is as follows
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived:
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true.
Lastly, I know many who wanted to attend Mass this Sunday were unable to sign up, and that there was an unfortunate early opening of the form. I ask your understanding and patience. Please God, we will expand the number of Masses next weekend.
Peace and Blessings,
Monsignor Royal
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and Forever. Amen
