19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,

Today is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time as we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day. The Gospel reading for this day continues from John, Chapter 6, the “Bread of Life Discourse.” This chapter opens with the miracle (sign) of the multiplication of bread and fish to feed the vast crowd which followed the Lord Jesus. This sign becomes the setting from which Jesus instructs His followers regarding the giving of Himself as “Bread from Heaven” which brings eternal life. Today’s Responsorial Psalm quotes the Lord Jesus (John 6:51)”I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

The Sundays of August provide a pastoral opportunity for the praying assembly to reflect on the meaning of the Holy Eucharist. We refer to the Precious Body and Blood of Christ by a variety of names: the Most Blessed Sacrament, Holy Communion, Bread of Angels, Bread of Life, Precious Blood, and Sacrament of the Altar. When Holy Communion is given to someone near death it is called Viaticum, Latin for “on the way” or “for the journey.”

Names and titles are important because they convey what we understand or believe. Like the Early Christians, Catholics have always spoken in theological language regarding the Eucharist and still do. We are very careful in how we speak regarding Holy Communion. We never say that we are going to get “the bread,” or that we are going to get a sip of “wine.” Talk such as this is plain WRONG! When we speak like this it shows a misunderstanding of the faith and a false representation of what has been handed down to us from the Apostles.

Not only should we speak correctly regarding the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar but we must also remember how to approach the Eucharist. The Church uses the term, “properly disposed” regarding how we are to present ourselves for Holy Communion. This term means that: we are not in the state of grave sin; fasted from food and drink 1 hour before the start of Holy Mass; and made a prayer of preparation for the reception of Holy Communion. With these conditions being met we are then disposed to receive the Eucharist.

Printed on the inside cover of the pew missal is a statement produced in 1996 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops entitled, “Guidelines For The Reception Of Communion.” The statement clearly says that the reception of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is for members of the Catholic Church with some exceptions. Likewise, Catholics should not receive communion in non Catholic Churches. Apostolic succession and unity in faith are matters that are associated with communion.

I would like to thank Andy Chop and Greg Weber for the work they have done around the parish property in recent days. Their devotion and labor are so greatly appreciated. May the Lord richly bless them!

And may God bless all of you too!
Father Zig