Faith Formation Summer Newsletter

Dear Families,

This weekend we celebrate the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the readings focus on our soul’s spiritual hunger and thirst – that can only be satisfied through God.

In our first reading from the Book of Exodus is the story of the miracle of the “manna that came from heaven” saving the Israelites from famine. They were nourished and fed by God for 40 years! This week’s responsorial psalm reiterates the gift of manna freely given. “He commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven; he rained manna upon them for food and gave them heavenly bread.” The bread of heaven – the bread of angels – the bread of life.

Our gospel passage from St. John finds Jesus reminding the crowds of people (that had just eaten their fill with the bread from Jesus) “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.” Jesus was pressed to answer their question, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" He told them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." Jesus when on to explain that the bread given to the Israelites was "the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Yet, the crowd persisted saying, “‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.’”

We too are nourished by God throughout our lifetime – if we choose to be. So then, why are so many Catholics today not running to accept the gift of God’s love and mercy through the reception of Communion? Like the Israelites and the crowd of 5000 (fed with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish), we are freely offered “the bread of heaven” to sustain us, to nourish us, and to fill our souls. At each Mass we gather, as one, in communion with God and one another, to proclaim Jesus in the “sacrifice of the mass.” And we together we receive Jesus - The Lord himself – truly present in a small piece of bread! We hold out our hands, take, eat, and welcome our Lord to live and work through us. Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist becomes truly present in US! It’s a miracle that bestows on us an amazing gift – God’s grace, mercy, and love. As St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading, we, “put away our old self… and put on the new self.”

God loves us so much that he gave us this amazing gift of himself; a gift that allows us to understand that we are never alone. We are loved; we are wanted beyond measure, and we are called to share eternity in the light of Christ. God provides all of this for us – we in our turn just need to accept it.

If you've yet to spend a day at Notre Dame Retreat House...what are you waiting for? It's a mere 30 minute drive to this beautiful, spiritual destination overlooking Canandaigua Lake. Click on the picture below to register or for information on other upcoming retreats. $35.00 covers the cost of the retreat, morning hospitality and lunch. What a deal!

"The one who loves the community destroys the community;

the one who loves the brothers and sisters builds community."

– Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism. His ties to the July 20, 1944 conspiracy to overthrow the Nazi Regime led to his execution in 1945. His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world." – Holocaust Encyclopedia

I cannot do it alone.
In me it is dark, but with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not desert me;
My courage fails me, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace;
in me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me.
Father in Heaven praise and thanks be to you for the night.

Learn more about Dietrich Bonhoeffer (from the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum) by clicking on his picture, and reading the article below.

"The world in which we live today and about whose suffering we know so much seems more than ever a world from which Christ has withdrawn himself. How can I believe that in this world we are constantly being prepared to receive the Spirit? Still, I think that this is exactly the message of hope. God has not withdrawn himself. He sent his Son to share our human condition and the Son sent us his Spirit to lead us into the intimacy of his divine life. It is in the midst of the chaotic suffering of humanity that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love, makes himself visible.

But can we recognize his presence?"

– Henri Nouwen