23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 9/09/24

My Dear People, 

Once again the Gospel passage uses the Greek word for “murmuring” which is used in the Septuagint and in Exodus and Numbers when the Israelites complained  (“murmured”)  to Moses in the wilderness. 

Jesus responds to the shocked reaction of His disciples by saying:  “It is the ... Read More »

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 9/09/24

My Dear People,

Having completed five weeks of study on the Eucharist Discourse of John 6, we return this Sunday to the Readings of the Gospel from Mark. Our passage is a highly edited excerpt from Jesus’s debate with the Pharisees over the customs of the elders. Clearly, Jesus ... Read More »

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 8/19/24

My Dear People, 

Once again the Gospel passage uses the Greek word for “murmuring” which is used in the Septuagint and in Exodus and Numbers when the Israelites complained  (“murmured”)  to Moses in the wilderness. 

Jesus responds to the shocked reaction of His disciples by saying:  “It is the ... Read More »

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Christy .. on 8/12/24

My Dear People, 

In this passage, Jesus moves from talking about Himself in a general way as the “Bread of Life” to suggesting specific applications of the gift of Himself in the Eucharist. The language becomes increasingly serious and specific. In verse 53, Jesus introduces the idea of “drinking ... Read More »

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 8/05/24

My Dear People,

Some of Jesus’ listeners objected to His claim to be the bread from heaven because they knew His earthly family (6:41-41). Alluding to the book of Exodus, Jesus treats their response as rebellious grumbling (6:43). The Father works within people by teaching them and drawing them ... Read More »

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 7/29/24

My Dear People, 

There are so many parallels between Jesus’s interaction with the crowd and God’s dealing with the Israelites in the desert. The Israelites in the desert were thinking with their stomachs. So, too, is the crowd in John 6.  “You are looking for me. . . because ... Read More »

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 7/29/24

My Dear People,

The next five weeks, we will read the six chapters of John which deal with the famous discourse of the bread of life. These are the chapters which clearly emphasize the importance of the Eucharist and the doctrine of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. 

Today we have the very memorable passage of John where Jesus fed the five thousand people from five barley loaves and two fish. This miracle is the foreshadowing of the Eucharist. As Jesus said, as the heavenly Father gave manna in the desert, I will give you living bread. As Jesus took care of the physical needs of the people in the desert, how much more will Jesus take care of our spiritual needs? For this reason, Jesus speaks about the living bread, which is found in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. There is the main teaching of Jesus in regard to the Eucharist. Jesus took the barley loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed them. The Eucharistic reference here is obvious. These are the same words which are used during the consecration. The one verb that is not contained here is broke.  This happened at the Last Supper to indicate that Jesus was going to be broken and sacrificed for us. This connects with Jesus taking flesh and with Jesus taking the loaf of bread at the Last Supper. Jesus took flesh to be broken for us. Bread is useless unless it is broken so that we can eat it. The next words are gave thanks. Jesus is thankful that his mission is accomplished. The word Eucharist is a Greek word which means to give thanks. When we come to church we come to give thanks. The next word is distributed. Jesus distributed the 5 loaves of bread so that everyone had enough to eat. Jesus distributes, that is, he gives himself to us so that we have enough to eat. It means we have enough to bring us salvation and spiritual health. Jesus is willing to give himself up for ... Read More »

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 7/15/24

My Dear People,

Jesus the Good Shepherd allows his apostles to take time for prayer, rest, and refreshment. This is an important reminder for those who work in some form of pastoral or religious ministry because there can be a tendency toward burnout. We need to be reminded that ... Read More »

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 7/09/24

My Dear People, 

In Mark 3: 16-19, the twelve men Jesus chose have been following Him for some time, so Jesus now gives them their first assignment “on their own.” He sends them out to preach, exorcize, and heal.

We are reminded that these twelve Apostles were not groomed ... Read More »

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

Posted by Christy .. on 7/09/24

My Dear People, 

The people of Nazareth, hard-hearted and unbelieving, are just like the Judeans of Ezekiel’s day. At stake is “pride”—they don’t want to admit a humble hometown boy has anything to teach them. They have a preconceived idea of Jesus. They have seen Jesus live in Nazareth ... Read More »