A Letter from Fr. Paul - August 19, 2018

Our Gospel this weekend is the 4th selection of 5 from Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, which presents the multiplication of the loaves, followed by a long discourse of Jesus on Himself as the Bread of Life. At the very beginning of the chapter, just before the multiplication of the loaves, John told us the Jewish feast of Passover was near. He is linking what is to follow with the Passover. Then Jesus Himself, in this weekend’s selection, references the manna, the food that sustained the Israelites during the Exodus, their journey of 40 years to the promised land.

The point is this: the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt on a journey to the promised land. God fed them with manna to strengthen then, He gave them “food for the journey.”

We are slaves to our vices and negative emotions. God sent Jesus to lead us forth on a journey of growth toward the promised land: the Kingdom of God. God gives us “food for the journey,” food to strengthen us and help us grow in our ability to bring about the Kingdom, both within ourselves and around us. That food is the Body and Blood of Christ.

What a great gift we have, this food for the journey. I invite us this week to reflect on the significance of the Eucharist, asking God to help us use the Eucharist to help us grow into being more loving and compassionate people, as was Jesus. And let us support each other in prayer.

​REMEMBER: in 4 weeks (beginning on September 16), our 10:15 Mass will be moved to 10:30 to enable religious education families to get back to Pius from Christ King.

Please continue to pray for the blessings of the Holy Spirit on our search for a principal for Wauwatosa Catholic.

​-- Paul James Portland, SDS