Greetings in Christ!
Friends, in this 13th Sunday of Ordinary time, the readings for the Holy Mass direct our minds and hearts to the new life that all of the baptized are called to - a life lived for and in deep communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This was the point echoed by our bishop Michael Martin, in the video that he asked to be played at all of the Masses.
This union with God that the Christian has entered into in Baptism, is a union that is real and constantly calls us to renewal and transformation. It constantly invites us to become more like what we are, the Body of Christ active and effective in this world. With that in mind, we ought to pray and consider how our lives reflect the unity that we share with all of the baptized as well as with the rest of humanity, all of whom are created by God, and invited by Him to hear and embrace the message of salvation. In this regard, the Holy Father Pope Leo final general audience until Aug. 5, gave some help points for us to consider especially during these summer months.
In the pope’s final general audience until Aug. 5th, he continued his talks on the documents of the Second Vatican Council, focusing on, ”Sacrosanctum Concilium," the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Pope Leo explained that the Eucharist draws the faithful into deeper communion with God and with one another. When we receive Christ in the Eucharist, we are transformed into the Body of Christ, whose head is the risen Lord seated at the right hand of the Father. With that in mind, the Holy Father noted that the Eucharist teaches Catholics to adopt Christ's way of self-giving love and to be "drawn day by day into ever more perfect union with God and with each other.”
There are indeed forces of division that seek to undermine our world, our communities, our families, and our hearts, as Pope Leo stated. The answer for us, and for the entire world is found in every tabernacle in every Catholic Church throughout the world. Jesus waits for us there in the Eucharist. He who is the way, the truth and the life.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael Carlson, Pastor
