Ordinary Time Cycle A

The Body and Blood of Christ-Solemnity Cycle A

 
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What does this Solemnity mean for you?

  I think that for all of us we reflect on the Gift of the Eucharist.  But what is this gift?  Is it just Holy Communion or is it more?

In the first reading from Deuteronomy, we hear of Moses reminding the people how God has cared for them. 

I am always amazed that God did not give up on the people.  But instead he always cared and provided for them.  Even when they turned to idols and other gods.

Rember these events below?

Manna, Seraph Serpents, Water from the Rock

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In all these events God provided even when the people doubted.

 

I know that at times I have not liked how God cares for me. 

Why this event?  Why this hardship?  Why this sickness? Why this difficulty?

Certainly these things and more are my journey into the desert where God is leading me and teaching me.  We are no different than the people Moses addressed.  I know that I need to be reminded that God cares for me in all events.  We know that in spite of the people in the reading, God cared for them.  He provided for them.   Yet they complained.  Still He never left them.

 In the second reading, Paul addresses the Corinthian community.  He reminds them that God provides.  In every event except sin, we are a part of the Body of Christ.  In all the events and situations of our lives, we are a part of the Body of Christ.  It is in all events and situations that we learn what it means to be the Body of Christ, to love, to forgive, to have mercy and compassion, etc. 

 

 
In the Gospel reading from John, Jesus scandalized many of those listening to Him.  How can we eat His Body and Drink His Blood?

Certainly this is the Eucharist, but I know the Eucharist for me is more than just going to Mass and receiving Communion. 

I know that God feeds me at Eucharist so that I can go out and be in a sense the Body and Blood of Christ for others.  This is how I will not die.  I think that means more than my physical death.  For me that means my spiritual death through my sins. 

As God forgave his people and care for them, as we heard in the first reading, God does the same for each of us even when we fail, when we sin.  He cares for us.  He will not abandon us. 

You and I are called to be a part of the Body and Blood of Christ.

We are to make Christ present to others.

Will you answer that call...

...in the events and situations you meet this week?
 

Great desert to end the day. Heat is on the way. Next week up 108. Keep in in your prayers. Went to mass at St. Theresa in Palm springs.

At last No wind

Today is the first day in a long time with no wind. Thank you.

June 2011

The highlight of this month has been the Diocese of Orange Priest Retreat which I attended. It was just what I needed to find God in the events of my life as a retired priest.

 

Click on the following  www.vicardoug.com    to go to my website and see more on this Retreat

TRINITY SUNDAY CYCLE A

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One of  the points these reading make to me is God's great compassion, forgiveness and love.  These certainly are shown in the Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

In the first reading from Exodus, Moses is called by God to go up the Mountain for the second time to receive the Ten Commandments. 

Remember that after the first going up the mountain and receiving the commandments, Mose returns only to discover his people have turned to an idol as their god.  But God does not give up on this stubborn people.

 
God is so patient that He calls Moses the second time to receive the commandments.  Wow!  What love. 

I know that I fail time after time, and yet God does continue to forgive me and call me up the mountain to experience his forgiveness.

 

 

In the second reading, Paul addresses his Corinthian community, and ends his letter with the words we read or hear today. 

He encourages them to make the love, mercy, compassion of the Trinity- Father Son and Holy Spirit, present to all. 

That is true for us today.  When all is going well, how easy that is; but when I meet the person who is difficult or impossible, how easy it is to not have compassion, mercy and love of the Trinity-shown by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

In the Gospel, Jesus tells Nicodemus that He has come not to judge the world to save it.  That through His suffering, death, and resurrection, there is always a way back, a way to be saved, a way to receive forgiveness.

I know that I need to be saved daily.  We need that love, mercy, and compassion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ,which Jesus shows us and which was given to each of us when we were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 

Maybe, this week we can, once each day, make the sign of the cross and remember how much the Trinity loves us and has great patience with us.  

And when we fail, we are even welcomed back. 

God will not give up on us.  Wow!