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Weeks 781-790

 
Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 783: Corpus Christi (Deuteronomy 8 :2-3, 14b-16a; 1 Corinthians 10 : 16-17 ; John 6 : 51-58)

 

[Deuteronomy]

Moses said to the people: "Remember how for forty years now the LORD, your God, has directed all your journeying in the desert, so as to test you by affliction and find out whether or not it was your intention
to keep his commandments.  He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna, a food unknown to you and your fathers, in order to show you that not by bread alone does one live, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD.  "Do not forget the LORD, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery; who guided you through the vast and terrible desert with its saraph serpents and scorpions, its parched and waterless ground; who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock and fed you in the desert with manna, a food unknown to your fathers."

 

[1 Corinthians]

Brothers and sisters: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

 

[John]

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, we celebrate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. It is the mystery of the Blessed Eucharist, which is the source and summit of all Christian life (cf. Lumen Gen um, 11); for the Eucharist is the hinge of all the sacraments, containing the sum of all the spiritual good of the Church–Jesus Christ himself (CCC, 1324). Every sacrament is bound to it, and every Christian living is oriented towards it: “…It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 1325). Thus, after the multiplication of the loaves (Jn 6:1-15), when the Jews returned for more, Jesus told them of the bread from Heaven that gives eternal life (Jn 6:22-35); and revealed that he is that bread of life, saying: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh or the life of the world…” (Jn 6:51-57). Thus, the Eucharist is Christ, and it is the sign and cause of the union and communion between God and Christ’s faithful. Now, knowing its importance in the life of the disciples, Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper as what gives them life and unites them with himself forever (cf. Ma 26:26-30; Mk 14:22-26; Lk 22: 14-20; Jn 13: 1-20; 1 Cor 11: 23-26).

 

Hence, at Mass, the Eucharist is always made present for our spiritual nourishment and eternal life, as Manna was given to the Israelites in the desert (Dt 8: 2-3, 14-16). Thus, the Mass is a sacrifice, and the Eucharist is a holy meal, for in it we eat of the real Body and Blood of Christ. Christ the new Melchizedek, transforms the bread and wine offered by the old Melchizedek (Gen14:18-20), as to enrich us with God's blessings. At the words of Consecration at Mass, there is a change of the bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood. This is Transubstantiation– the substance changes but the appearance remains. Thus, when we receive the Eucharist worthily, it (1) transforms us into Christ with the strength to love as Christ (2) becomes food and sustenance for the journey to Heaven (3) helps us to fight the urge to commit sins (4) assures us of the fulfillment of promise of eternal life. The readings stated these truths, and exhort us to partake of the Eucharist, for our sustenance, strength and life. The Eucharist is a communion (1Cor10: 16-17) and a sacrament of love; to remind us that our love must reach beyond our natural (blood) bonds, and other divisive trends of cultures, peoples, etc.; and assist each other on the journey. This was already exemplified by God whose providence is shown in the Eucharist, which reaches across all borders and all humanity, as he did with Manna (Dt 8:14-16); given as food for the journey in a foreign land and through some foreign instruments of God (Ex 16:1-35). No one can then be a true disciple unless one is the source of strength and flavor to the life of others (Mt 5: 13). No one who has experienced God's love remains unaffected and idle. So, the feast not only reminds us of the love of Christ who gave his life for us to have eternal life, but also of our call to die to self, out of love, so that all others can have life; since it is by loving as Jesus loves us are we known as his disciples (Jn 14: 34-35). This is our willingness to be transformed from natural bread and wine into spiritual strength and light for others in genuine concern.

 

Thus, the Eucharist is not only a thanksgiving but also a sacrifice as Jesus did; a spiritual good “…offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God” (CCC, 1414). Finally, as Jesus is really present in the Eucharist, usually on this solemnity, there is the exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the form of Eucharistic procession around the vicinity, to honor and adore Christ who loved us and gave himself for our salvation and eternal life (cf. CCC, 1418). Join a Eucharistic procession and also consider Eucharistic adoration at your parish to thank Jesus for his sacrifice, and to ask that he continues to transform us as Christians and give us the courage to make sacrifices required of us in our daily encounter with others and the world. Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, I come before You with an open heart. You are the Bread of Life who satisfies every hunger. On this Corpus Christi, awaken in me a deeper faith, a purer love, and a burning desire for You. Amen”

 

Quote from a Saint: “The Eucharist is the sacrament of love: It signifies love, it produces love.” --St. Thomas Aquinas

 

Questions for reflection:

  1. In what ways do you think that the other Sacraments are bound to the Eucharist?

  2. Have you ever thought that the Eucharist was not the true body and blood of Christ? How did you resolve that misunderstanding?

  3. What are some ways that you can defend the truth about the Eucharist to those who do not believe it to be the true Body and Blood of our Lord?

  4. Why is it important to not receive the Eucharist unworthily? How does one get into a state of worthiness?

  5. Have you seen benefits from receiving the Eucharist on a regular basis?

  6. Have you ever participated in a Eucharistic procession? What was that experience like?

  7. Why do you think it is important for Catholics to have Eucharistic processions? What witness do you think it gives to the local community?

  8. How often do you go to Eucharistic adoration? Do you know when adoration is at your parish or at another parish near you?

 

-Benjamin & Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 782: The Trinity (Exodus 34 :4b-6,8-9 ; 2 Corinthians 13 : 11-13 ; John 03 : 16-18)

 

[Exodus]

Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own."

 

[2 Corinthians]

Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

 

[John]

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

 

Reflection

Now we celebrate the Most Holy Trinity, the mystery of One God but Three persons, which is central to our faith and life: “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life…the mystery of God in himself…the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them…the fundamental and essential teaching in the hierarchy of the truths of faith” (CCC, n.234).

 

This mystery is revealed to us in the Scriptures. For instance, in the OT, God is revealed as ONE: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Dt 6:4). And God is revealed also as THREE persons in God, as seen at creation (cf. Gen 1:26; Gen 1:2-3; Prov 8:27-31). Now, in the NT, God is also revealed as ONE and as THREE distinct persons. For instance, Jesus revealed God as one and as three distinct persons especially in the Last Supper Discourse in John’s gospel (Jn 13-17). There was also the unique manifestation of the three persons at the baptism of Jesus (cf. Mt 3:16-17), and at the conclusion of the gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructed his disciples to baptize those who believe, in the name of the Trinity (Mt 28:18-20). Equally, three persons are distinguished in Acts, and NT Epistles, as read in the conclusion of the 2nd reading (cf. 2 Cor 13:13).

 

Now, we must acknowledge that the idea of three persons in one God is not a concept to be fully understood by we who are finite beings; hence the notion of mystery, which is a truth that must be approached and appreciated with faith. And the truths that stand out about this mystery are that: (1) The Trinity is One but three Persons fully God, (2) That the Divine Persons are distinct from each other, though not 3 Modes or Appearances, and (3) That they are in relation (communion) with one another. Now, the important thing today is not for us to try to understand fully the mystery of the Three-person-in-One-God, but to reflect on the import of ‘their three-personal-life’ for us.

 

Now, one import is the great truth of their unity, even in their individual distinctiveness. It truly talks to us about unity in diversity, which our world needs to understand. As the scriptures tells us and as Jesus revealed of the Trinity in the Last Supper Discourse, the Father is Almighty, for he created all things, and He begot the Son who is divine as the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself is the Son of the Father, who is the Word by which all were created and who became man to redeem man from sin and death. And the Holy Spirit is the Love and Spirit of the Father and of Jesus, who is the teacher, guide and comforter of created beings (cf. Jn 13-17; 16:12-15; Heb 1:1-4; Gal 4:4). The Catechism articulated: “Inseparable in what they are, the divine persons are also inseparable in what they do. But within the single divine operation each shows forth what is proper to him in the Trinity, especially in the divine missions of the Son’s Incarnation and the gift of the Holy Spirit” (CCC, n.267). As it is, God the father is the creator, God the Son is the redeemer and God the Holy Spirit is the guide; yet each is present in the operations of the others as clearly shown in the work of creation (Gen 1:2-3), and in the work of man’s redemption when the three persons appeared at the baptism of Jesus (Mt 3:16-17).

 

Now, we are created in the image and likeness of the Trinity, with our uniqueness, distinctiveness, individualities and personalities (Gen 1:26-27). But we are born anew (Jn 3:5) and are incorporated into the family of God by our baptism (Mt 28:18-20). Thus, we have been drawn into communion and unity of the Trinity for all ages and must therefore operate like the Trinity in uniqueness and unity. As each one manifests his distinctness in and with the others, yet without interfering in the other’s person and role, this form of love they communicated to us should exist between the distinct members of every family, parish and community, as we build up each other with our gifts. Also, join the U.S. Church from June 3-11 in praying the Novena to the Sacred Heart, which will conclude with the consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

 

Quote from a Saint:  “When One of the Three Persons communicates with a soul, by the power of that one will, it finds itself united with the Three Persons and is inundated in the happiness flowing from the Most Holy Trinity, the same happiness that nourishes the saints. This same happiness that streams from the Most Holy Trinity makes all creation happy; from it springs that life which vivifies and bestows all life which takes its beginning from Him.” —St. Faustina

 

Questions for reflection:

  1. How to you understand the reality that the Trinity is three persons in one God?

  2. Do you find yourself troubled when contemplating the Trinity? If so, have you brought what troubles you to prayer?

  3. Has the concept of the Trinity been a stumbling block in your faith life? How did you overcome it?

  4. Does it bother you that the Trinity is a mystery that we cannot understand? How can accepting the mystery of this reality help build your faith?

  5. Does the Trinity play an explicit role in your spiritual life?

  6. Do you find yourself praying more often to a distinct person of the Holy Trinity? If so, have you ever wondered why that is?

  7. Do you see the Trinity being reflected in your family life, parish and community?

  8. Will you be joining the U.S. Church in the novena to the Sacred Heart?

 

-Benjamin & Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 781: Holy Spirit (Acts 2 :1-11 ; 1 Corinthians 12 : 3b-7, 12-13 ; John 20 : 19-23)
 

[Acts]

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

 

[Corinthians]

Brothers and sisters: No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

 

[Matthew]

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

 

Reflection

Fellow pilgrims, we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost 50 days after Easter, which tells of the day when the Risen Lord fulfilled his promise to the apostles (Jn 14:16;15:5-15; Acts 1:4-8) by sending the Holy Spirit from the Father, as their Defense, Comforter, Paraclete, Teacher, Counsel, Strength and Power; and to inaugurate the Church and fill her with the power to live and fulfill her destiny and mission - as the sacrament of Christ and salvation. 

 

The Catechism noted that at Pentecost, there was the full revelation and recognition of the Holy Spirit; but the Spirit of God had been active in the Old Testament, in creation, in the prophets and life of Christ (CCC, n.732). Both the Hebrew and Greek word for the Spirit meant a breath, air or wind; thus, highlighting the Spirit’s manifestation as the source of inspiration, life and movement of God’s people. So, today as then, the Holy Spirit (1) comes to us as teacher of the meaning and depth of revelation, (2) gives us grace and power to understand Church teachings and to know Christ, (3) gives us the wisdom to see how to apply the teachings in our lives, and (4) gives us courage to witness to believers and unbelievers alike about God’s love and salvation. the Holy

Spirit aids us with our relationship with God and in our ministry to others (cf. Rom 8: 26-27; 1 Cor 12:3-7).

 

At the vigil, we read of the ‘Tower of Babel’, where the people intended to build a city and Tower to make a name for themselves (Gen 11:4). It reminded us of the sin of our first parents who were deceived as the serpent said: “You certainly will not die…when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods…” (Gen 3:4-5). As Adam and Eve failed, so were the Tower builders, who were then scattered; for they pursued independence from God. God intervened in a dramatic way so that the evil of selfishness, self-centeredness and human independence from God was prevented. Now, in the events on Pentecost, the scattered nations and languages came together to understand the one language that focuses on the great news of God’s love and salvation brought by Jesus. This was accomplished by the Spirit who gifted the apostles to speak that one language of creation’s dependence on God’s love, as those present said: “…we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God” (Act 2:9-11). We can only overcome in life if our lives and all we do are rooted in the one true God and not in our ‘own-self-made-god’.

 

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles in the form of flames of fire (Acts 2:1-4) and imparted on them gifts and charisms for the mission of witnessing to the gospel and for service to the community; for no one desires them just for personal sake (1Cor 12:4-7). The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Courage, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of God, already noted in Isaiah (11:1-3). Thus, imparted with these gifts, the apostles boldly went out and witnessed the gospel as Jesus commanded (Mt 28:16-20), bearing the fruits of the Spirit; usually listed as 12: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Modesty, Faithfulness, Self-Control, and Chastity (cf. Gal 5:22-23). This is the life lived according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh (Rom 8:8-17). Also, living out the fruits of the Spirit is the way we manifest the tongue of fire enkindled in us by the Holy Spirit; and thus, participate in renewing the face of the earth, and positively affecting people’s life as Jesus’ disciples. St Cyril of Jerusalem said of the Holy Spirit, “...he acts differently in men while himself remaining unchanged …To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good... he comes to save, to heal, to teach, to admonish, to strengthen, to console, to enlighten the mind, first of the man who receives him, then through him the minds of others also” (Instruct. to Catechumens, 16). Finally, with the feast of Pentecost, the Easter Season comes to an end, and we resume the Ordinary Time of the year, continuing from week 8. Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: Prayer to Receive the Holy Spirit “O King of glory, send us the Promise of the Father, the Spirit of Truth. May the Counselor Who proceeds from You enlighten us and infuse all truth in us, as You have promised. Amen.”

 

Quote from a Saint: “Come, Holy Spirit. Spirit of truth, you are the reward of the saints, the comforter of souls, light in the darkness, riches to the poor, treasure to lovers, food for the hungry, comfort to those who are wandering; to sum up, you are the one in whom all treasures are contained. Come! As you descended upon Mary that the Word might become flesh, work in us through grace as you worked in her through nature and grace. Come! Food of every chaste thought, fountain of all mercy, sum of all purity. Come! Consume in us whatever prevents us from being consumed in you.” —St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

 

Questions for reflection:

  1. Where have you seen people building the equivalent of the Tower of Babel in our culture?

  2. Do you feel that your life and all you do are rooted in the one true God and not in your ‘own-self-made-god’?

  3. Which gifts of the Holy Spirit do you see within yourself?

  4. Where have you seen the fruits of the Spirit in the community around you?

  5. Where have you seen the fruits of the Spirit in your own life?

  6. Do you pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit the nine days leading up to Pentecost every year? Why or why not?

  7. Do you have a devotion to the Holy Spirit?

  8. Do you have a favorite season of the liturgical calendar?

 

-Benjamin & Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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