Gospel Reflections for June 23 2019
The School of Love
What would you say to graduates in a Commencement Speech? What great ideas would help them find happiness and success? Jesus thought about this for His followers too.
At Pentecost, the disciples burst out of a locked room eager to spread the Gospel everywhere. Yet Jesus knew that even that wonderful energy can fade over time. Therefore, He gave them something to do every week that would renew His message of salvation!
At the Last Supper He offers both words and deeds for them to say and do every Sunday that will make His grace endure.
He takes Bread and Wine and identifies Himself with both, and then offers them for His followers to consume. He says in effect, “This bread and wine is my Body and Blood, my entire self and everything that I am. I offer my entire self to you for your lasting happiness.”
Perhaps it is no accident that this Gospel occurs in June, a time famous around the world for weddings. On the Altar, couples also say in effect, “I promise to “give myself to you …and only you forever …and for your lasting happiness!” Each person promises to use all of their gifts, abilities, and talents for the good and authentic development of their spouse.
It is certainly no accident that the words of Our Lord at Mass almost perfectly parallel wedding vows. Both convey the same meaning of total giving of our self for another’s lasting happiness.
Just a few days ago our group in the Holy Land visited the village of Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle, and it was a wedding!
Jesus knew His followers might become discouraged by difficult people. He wanted them to retain the hope and love they received at Pentecost. Weekly Mass is the place He designed where they would receive His love over and over again. Each week they would see what love means and how to do it. Receiving communion is that moment when His love literally enters your life.
Graduating seniors and newlyweds need all the help they can get. For the biggest lessons in life, the best place for help is available every Sunday. Mass is the “school of love” for Jesus’ disciples, for graduating seniors, for you and me, and for married couples everywhere!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Thanks Fr Dave a wonderful & simple
Reading today so inspiring! Worth some praying on and sharing with my Michael
Our 37th Anniversary this last week and
Remembering that beautiful day you co celebrated also with Fr Joe, Fr O’ Ryan &
Mngsr John. Thank you for the many blessings & Family friendship over all these years!
God Bless 🙏🏼
Happy 37th anniversary!
Beautiful words Father Dave!!! l
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee attending Mass, loveeeeeeeeeee receiving our precious Jesus of loveeeeeeeeeeeee, in Holy Communion, loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Faith and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee being married to Dick and having our loving family!!! Beautiful life and we must share Jesus’ love with everyone and make the world beautiful with His Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! as you so preciously do!!! Enjoy Israel!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Thank you!
The Gospel was about how Jesus saw the need of the people and the miracle was showing us to trust in Him for everything. He knows our needs and all we need to do is look and trust in our loving zGod.
Yes, absolutely!
I was a witness to several couples renewing their marital vows this week at church in the village of Cana. What a wonderful testament of love and hope. There was one couple there that had been married 68 years. Every day in our pilgrimage I witnessed their love by a simple act of holding hands everywhere (EVERYWHERE) we went. You may say simple act. I saw it as a monumental expression of love for each other.
Yes, their simply act of devotion to each other inspired everyone. Thank you for mentioning it.
Dear Father Dave,
So grateful to have this beautiful faith and the holy Eucharist. Yes, God so loved the world that He gave us His only son….
Travel safely. God bless.
Kathleen A.
Yes, the Eucharist is our constant reminder of God’s love.