The Bread of Life Discourse

Dear Parishioners,

Beginning last week, the Universal Church’s liturgical calendar celebrated the 17th Sunday in Ordinary time (although St. Anne was able to transfer the feast of her patron to the same day). It began a several week reading of what is called “The Bread of Life Discourse” from the sixth chapter of John which began with the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish. It concludes with Jesus’ teaching about how he is the “Bread of Life” and that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood so that we might have life within us.

While the Gospel of John did not include the “Institution Narrative” at the Last Supper, as did the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), John recounted Jesus’ first remarks and teachings about the Eucharist which preceded the Last Supper. It is only in the Gospel of John where we read Jesus implore with great passion that he would not only give his flesh and blood for us (think Crucifixion) but also that his followers were to eat his flesh and blood. Those who heard Jesus teach this had mixed reactions. For the common Jew of the day, it would have been reasonable to find his words off-putting and repugnant. Towards the end of the discourse, we find that many disciples left him to return to their former ways of life. Turning to Peter, Jesus asked if he will leave too. Peter responded, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69).

If we take Jesus seriously, (and we do), it would seem to me, compelled to make one of two choices: 1. conclude that Jesus meant these things metaphorically or symbolically, or 2. conclude that Jesus meant truly, literally what he said. 

If we side with the first option, then we should conclude, as the famous Catholic, Flannery O’Connor once put it, “To hell with it.” Why go to Mass when the Eucharist is merely a symbol or sign? Why give our adoration to it? In fact, we should stop doing this altogether, for it would be blasphemous, indeed, it could be considered one of the highest forms of sin against God found in the First Commandment(, idolatry. We should never worship what is not God. At most, we might give it reverence to a symbol like we do any other signs of Christ such as the Cross, Altar, the Paschal Candle, and such. But that is it. In this case, it would be a waste of time to build tabernacles and churches and services focused on this mere symbol. 

But, if we conclude, as the Church has from it’s beginning, that the Eucharist is truly, substantially, mystically Christ’s body and blood, soul, and divinity, then our worship is just that, worth-ship—something worth our time and energy in devotion and adoration.

Clearly, if we read Chapter 6 of John, we read about those who chose the second option and left. Others, may have taken Jesus literally, but did not understand. And while choosing the first option, they just followed him because of his miracles. Then there were the likes of Peter, who likely didn’t understand, but took Jesus literally, maintained his faith, suspended his confusion, desired in his heart to ascent to Jesus’ teaching, and placed his trust in the words and person of Jesus. I can imagine Peter thinking:

“Okay, Jesus. I really don’t understand what you are talking about. This seems strange. But, you have never let us down. You have shown yourself to be the Messiah. You have claimed that you are the Son of God. And no one could do the miracles you have done if God were not with him. I will trust that you will explain this new teaching in time. Besides, you have always spoken the truth and have the words of everlasting life.” 

Thankfully, Jesus makes his teaching clear at the Last Supper when he says, “This is my body” and “This is my blood” (think “institution narrative”) while presenting the bread and wine of the Passover meal. In the Last Supper, Jesus revealed that the Passover was not longer just the remembrance of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery, but now would be the way the Messiah would passover death to eternal life, giving us himself as a perpetual sacrifice once and for all for the salvation of the world. Jesus revealed that he would be the final Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. In giving us himself in the Eucharist, he gave us way to commune with him through time as well as a vehicle for healing and grace until the end of time. Instead of giving us manna to eat, he would give his very self.

Please take time to read the whole of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. If you would like to talk about this in person, I or Fr. Stephen Kenyon would be more than happy to listen and walk with you in your journey of faith.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

5th Sunday in Easter

The Scrutinies

Dear Parishioners,

As we continue our journey through Lent, there are some very special rites we celebrate for those seeking to enter the Church via our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).  I am speaking of the “Scrutinies.”  Often I get raised eyebrows when people hear the name of these rites. They sound quite dramatic, and we actually hope they are for those participating in them.  But, they are not something to fear.  It is my hope that they build up the hope and strengthen the faith of those experiencing the Scrutinies.  

The actual rite comes from antiquity and is celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth weekends of Lent. So, this week, the Scrutiny was held at the Saturday 5 PM Mass and will move to the Sunday 8 AM and 11 AM Mass respectively in the coming weeks.  Originally, these rites were the ways the early Church assessed the readiness of those who desired to be baptized and, thus, become Christians. Over time, the rituals changed and eventually disappeared along with the whole process of the Catechumenate as it was once called. It was after the Second Vatican Council that the call was made to restore the RCIA and all of its rites and adapt it to modern times. In our case, we use a combined rite for the elect (those to be baptized) and candidates (those already baptized).

What does the rite consist of?  It begins with bringing the elect and candidates with their sponsors before the community. Then there is an invitation to prayer and a period of silence.  The Elect are asked to kneel and the Candidates are asked to bow their heads, both as a sign of inner repentance.  What follows are intercessions for the elect and candidates. A prayer of Exorcism and laying on of hands or hands stretched over is made by the presider. The rite concludes with a dismissal so that they can leave and take part in a deeper reflection on the Word of God already proclaimed at Mass.

The purpose for the elect and candidates at each of the scrutinies is to 1. to uncover, 2. to heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful, and 3. to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good. (cf. RCIA 141).  In the big picture,, “the scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ.” (ibid. 141).

So, I hope you will be able to witness and prayerfully support our elect and candidates in the Scrutinies. Personally, I find them to are very moving and powerful for all involved, including myself.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Gratitude & Thanksgiving

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we heard from Proverbs the value of a loving wife. The Psalm reminds us of how blessed we are with our children. Thessalonians reminds us that we are children of the light, not darkness. In the Gospel of Matthew, we heard that the one who stewards well the talents they have been given will enter into our Master’s joy.  In all these things, what is our response?  

It could be one of worry for all the times we have fallen short of God’s standard.  Maybe it is one of regret for the times we have taken our spouse for granted and are guilty of not being as loving as we should be. It could be one of fear, for we may realize that, too often, we have been anything but sober and alert. It could be of sadness for we may have squandered parts of our lives with the talents our Lord has given us. These concerns are worthy of consideration.  They are all worthy of reflection as an action of examining our consciences in light of the Scriptures. There may even be true reasons for concern about our state of relationship with God and our neighbor. I think we should all take these challenges seriously.  But, I would also like to remind us that this is half of the story.

The other half of the story revolves not around how we have failed, but what God has done for us, how our Lord is always there waiting to restore us back to him. I would like to propose that given all our challenges in our lives, we have plenty of reasons for joy and gratitude not despite our failures and sufferings, but through them. God sent his Son who suffered death for us and rose so that our sufferings would not have the final say. Through Jesus’ Paschal Mystery, our Lord can bring grace and restoration when we join our suffering and dying to his, because the other half of the story, the reason Jesus came, was to save us. 

In just a few short days, we as a nation will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. I would like to invite you all to Mass on that day (8 AM).  Between now and then, ponder on where you have fallen short, repent and as our Lord to forgive you, and then give thanks for his goodness. On the Mass of Thanksgiving Day, as is my little custom, I turn the homily time towards an opportunity for all present to express, publicly, what they are grateful for.  We must not keep our praise and thanksgiving to ourself.  We must express our gratitude for all that God has given us.  So, between now and then, consider all that God has gifted you with.  Come to that Mass, lay down your burdens, offer your sacrifice, and exchange it for gratitude. We are a Eucharistic people the word, “eucharist,” meaning “thanksgiving.”

May we all give praise and thanksgiving all the days of our lives.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtinger
Pastor 

Truth In Charity

Dear Parishioners,

This week’s readings (July 30.31), we heard from Ecclesiastes: “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” From Colossians: “seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” And finally from the Gospel Luke, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

The message is one for all the ages, one that we all need to ponder upon deeply. For something to be vain, it is essentially empty, worthless, of no lasting value. This is very much related to greed which focuses our attention on things that are empty, things that will never satisfy. Due to our sinfulness, we have all entertained and acted on our desires for things that cannot satisfy. We have all entertained thoughts and words that are misdirected and will bear no spiritual or corporeal fruit. In fact, such words and actions may very well cause scandal to others to the point of leaving the faith.

We must be all the more careful in our world today as Christians not to cause others to stumble while also sharing the truth in charity. So, today, listen and hear the voice of the Lord! Choose to be people whose love is full and not vain. Allow the parts of your life, your desires that will do you no ultimate good, those things that are arrogant, prideful, harsh, unloving, addictive, illusionary, selfish, divisive, lying, impure, immoral, and callous—allow these parts to die in Christ. Yes! It will involve suffering, for we want to hold on to them so much. Now is the time to do this. Now is the time when the political, economic, and violent parts of our world are so prevalent.

The Church exists for the salvation of souls. We are all given the mission to further this goal. To know salvation is to know the Truth, Jesus. Indeed, the world needs to know the Truth, but it is not sufficient to say, “I’m just tellin’ it like it is,” all the while steamrolling the person in arrogance and pride. We must pray to rid ourselves of any vestiges of vanity that can become a roadblock to the Truth. This is not about just being nice, but being charitable, being sensitive to the situation of the other, listening and building a relationship with the other, journeying with them, and sharing our hearts and what God has done for us.

Our world needs to know Jesus. We need to know Jesus more deeply as well. Let us not be embarrassed nor fearful for admitting our sinfulness, for by repenting we allow Christ to shine through us. It is through our woundedness that we can help heal. It is by our true love of God and our neighbor that we become the people we have always been meant to be. It is by being beacons of light that we will attract others to the knowledge of the Truth.

My friends in Christ, much is at stake... our souls and the souls of others. Let us strive for the narrow way through our own suffering and dying to our vanities. May Christ in the Eucharist be our strength, so that we be conformed into the likeness of Him who loves us so much.

Sincerely,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor