Gospel Reflections for June 7 2015
The School of Love
What would you say to graduating seniors in a Commencement Speech? What great ideas would help them find happiness and success? Jesus thought about ideas 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 whole message of salvation!
At the Last Supper He offers words and deeds for them to say and do every Sunday and perhaps even every day 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.” What a beautiful thing to do!
Perhaps it is no accident that this Gospel occurs in June, a time famous around the world for wedding ceremonies. Wedding 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 other’s goodness, growth, and authentic development.
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.
Jesus knew His followers might become discouraged by difficult or resistant people. He wanted them to remain hopeful and yet still retain the love they received at Pentecost. Weekly Mass would be the place He designed where they would receive His love over and over again. Each week they would see what Jesus is all about. Each week they would see what love means and how to do it. Receiving communion is that moment when His love literally enters our life.
Weekly Mass is exactly what Jesus designed to keep a loving heart in all of His followers even if they met difficult people or faced impossible challenges. Every Sunday is a chance to experience the words and actions of Jesus Himself given on our behalf.
Graduating seniors 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
Thank you Fr. Dave, for your wonderful explanation and significance of the Eucharist in our lives.
Nobody could have said it better!
Including Marriage in relation to the Eucharist as a self-giving – Jesus in us and the bride
and groom to each was beautiful!
Our grateful hearts give thanks to Him.
Thank you! I have always been impressed at the similarity between wedding vows and the words of Jesus at Mass.
Dear Father Dave:
This is a great analogy of the comparison between our Faith and couples that want to be married with the celebration of the Eucharist.
As you know, I am a wedding coordinator, and this message is one that I will use for every couple.
Thank you
Blessings
Verna
I am glad you liked it!
Fr. Dave,
Thanks for helping me to see the link between the love in the eucharist and marriage. I’m reminded of the time that mysterious lady told the crowd at my first presentation that “He left us his image on The Shroud to show us how much He loves us.” Only He could share love so many ways!
God bless!
Larry,
Wouldn’t it be great if all Catholic graduates would make attending Sunday Mass a “sine qua non” for the start of every week? I will pray that they will!
I was thinking of the Passover where the blood was over the door and then they had to shut the door. They rshut the door to the Egyptians. It was like shuting the door to sin and reminded me that that is still what we need to do. Then when you mentioned the Eucharist it also reminded me thatthe relationship between confession and applying the blood which is the blood of Christ. By receiving the Body and Blood of Christ we are also empowered to go out and tell others about Our Lord and to be strong against sin. I have to meditate more on this as there is so much to it. In the Eucharist his presence is there to help us in all areas of our lives if we really believe and trust in Him.
This is fun and I think there should be an encouragement to the Church to read these scriptures before mass and meditate on it. There is so much more to it that comes alive during the Mass when you take the time to read and meditate on the readings before Mass.
Fr. Dave,
Thank you so much for helping me see the beautiful explanation of the Eucharist and marriage .
Brings so much more meaning to our wedding vows !
Father Dave,
What a precious, beautiful, lovely explanation of the Eucharist!!! I love your words Jesus’ love enters our life at the reception of Holy Communion!! and we receive His love, over and over again at every Eucharistic encounter!!! love the love!!! <Love his loveeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!Jesus becomes one with us and we are to live His love in our marriage, in our vocations, with our friends and encounters with everyone especially with those that don't have our gift of faith!!We must connect our
opps, I pressed the wrong key!!….. We must connect our Faith with our life and make it a beautiful reality to make our world centered on Jesus’ love and teachings!!! Have a beautiful trip to Israel!!! Our Circle of Love will be praying for you and everyone!!! We have fond memories of our precious trip with you!!!!
Love, franca and Dick