Gospel Reflections for May 17 2015
Jesus asked His disciples to share the Gospel with everyone everywhere. I know one person who did it well!
Paschal Baylon was a simple shepherd living near the Pyrenees Mountains in northern Spain. He had a strong devotion to the church and especially the Eucharist. He even became an associate of the Franciscan order, but could not fully enter because of his lack of formal education. After all, he had to tend sheep every day.
However, even in those mountain meadows he could still hear the church bells that rang at Mass during at the consecration, the moment the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Our Lord. He would instantly kneel in deep contemplation and gratitude for God’s presence. Those years of contemplation produced a deep understanding of the Eucharist. Despite his lack of formal education he could speak quite intelligently about it. Therefore, the Church declared him a “Eucharistic Saint.” (St. Paschal’s parish was named after him because of the many flocks of sheep in the area. I saw them often since I grew up there.)
Years later, when I returned as pastor of St. Paschal’s, we opened the Adoration Chapel, a place where people from throughout the area could pray in the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist 24 hours a day. A wonderful team of Hourly Captains ensure that there are adorers in the Chapel all day long. Years ago, I received relics of St. Paschal from a convent of nuns in Kentucky. I decided to place them in the center of the Adoration altar, where they reside today.
During my time as pastor we would also ring the bells at the moment of consecration at Mass, just as they did in his day. If you are in the Adoration Chapel you can hear them clearly. I think that is an amazing and beautiful coincidence that the relics of St. Paschal are in a Eucharistic Chapel, in a church named after him, and in a place where the bells announcing the consecration can be clearly heard just as he heard them from the mountain hillsides. If you live near St. Paschal’s in Thousand Oaks, CA, I hope you will visit the chapel soon.
Today we remember the moment when Jesus ascended into Heaven, but not to leave us alone at all. Instead, He placed before us His enduring presence in the Eucharist that assures He is “with us always.” St. Paschal understood that while standing miles away in the hills above his village Church. I hope we can as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Image: Public domain work of art.
Father Dave,
How precious that you placed the relics of St. Paschal Baylon in the center of the Adoration Altar!!! Dick and I love love going to your beautiful Adoration Chapel and what a lovely miracle of love to have our Jesus present there 24 hours a day!!! If we are anywhere near St. Pascals our mustang goes automatically to the chapel!!!We love it!! Thank you for giving it to us for we feel Jesus love and presence embracing us in that corner of the world!!!! And every time we receive our precious Jesus in the miracle of the Eucharist!!
Have a beautiful day in Jesus and Mary’s sacred love!!! Jesus loves you Father Dave for you live His love!!!
Love, Franca and Dick
Yes, the Chapel is your second home. Even you cars understands!
Thanks for the inspirational words. The image of St. Paschal’s dedication to the Eucharist reminds me of the passage, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). God has given us real, tangible, touchable things so that we know of His presence, including His presence in the Eucharist.
When we moved into Thousand Oaks in 1973, I worked in what was the Capital Record Building on Rancho Conejo Blvd. I had an office in the upper floor of that all wood and glass picturesque building. Through a large window facing the hills across Rancho Conejo, I often saw shepherds with flocks of sheep grazing on the grassy hills. That was a beautiful image, and it helped me to connect to St. Paschal Baylon Church.
I am glad you have that classic memory of old Thousand Oaks. Those were probably the last years of the shepherds and flocks here.
Beautiful! I enjoyed your very informative article. Brought tears to my eyes to know God loves those of us who do not feel worthy of His Love.
How fortunate the for the people living in St. Paschal’s area to have the Adoration Chapel.
Yes, they are fortunate, and they appreciate it as well. It is inspirational to see so many go to the chapel at all hours of the day.
Dear Fr. Dave I just want to wish you a Happy Anniversary if I am correct it is the 37th. Anniversary of your Priesthood. You have been a good and faithful priest touching so many lives.
Thank you
Love
Barbara Masci
YEs, you have a good memory! May 27th will be my 37th anniversary.
Thank you for the lovely reflection. Last Saturday afternoon, I was at my regular hour in St. Paschal’s Adoration Chapel. It was my first visit since my dear mother passed away and I was feeling bereft thinking about the following day being my first Mother’s Day without her. Just then, the consecration bells rang for the First Holy Communion liturgy and that feeling of emptiness vanished. It was a powerful moment and I’m ever so grateful to those who organize the chapel for providing us with such an opportunity.
What an amazing story! I am glad you were n the Chapel at that moment. It was meant to be. Please be assured of my prayers for you as you remember your mother.
I also read May 14th readings. After all Jesus went through He still gave. I watched the movie the Ultimate Gift. It reminded me of what Jesus has done for us. He has given us an ultimate gift that doesn’t compare. We have been given even more with his gifts to live on this earth and be a witness.. Then on May 17th he lifted up his eyes to heaven and prayed that we are one. and that they were sent into the world to do as Jesus did.
It is hard to believe when I see the news and read the paper where the Catholics and Protestants can’t come into agreement and many want what is comfortable to them. I see so much disagreement on abortion and homosexual marriages amongst the Christ ians. However there is hope and in the future I believe t haqt there will be a reminate of Christians standing up like Gideons army and win the battle in the USA. As Christians we are all given gifts and with the power of the Holy Spirit I still believe there will be victory.
Jesus never looked at the fact that the Apostles deserted them as He knew they would succe3ed, it gives us hope that even though we have blown it many times. God is still there for us and wants to use us. How humbling is that???
Yes, we are in good company with the disciples who were still loved by God despite everything they did. God is so good to us!
We can be inspired by Paschal the shepherd to remember Jesus when we are at our work & dedicate whatever we work we do to Him.
Well said!
What a wonderful treasure Thousand Oaks has in the St. Paschal Baylon Adoration Chapel, where I AM truly is…is.
the Chapel provides such a vivid example of God’s enduring presence. Always open, always there, 24 hours a day.
It’s wonderful that you have 24-hour adoration at your parish. I don’t think that exists anywhere in the diocese of Tucson. At the nearby parish of Saint Marks we didn’t have any adoration time and now we only have one hour a week. Parishioners that have 24 x 7 adoration should realize how blessed they are!
I know our people appreciate it because I hear almost every day, even now. I used to call it the “spiritual engine” of our parish.
How blessed we are to have enduring presence and connections in the beautiful Eucharistic history of St. Paschal’s.
Bob and Rose Mary
I think the history of St. Paschal’s parish is amazing, and so much more remarkable because of the story of the chapel and the relics.
Ahhhh!! Thank you Fr.! for the chapel. It has saved my life many times over. How fortunate we are to know that we can go there to glorify and regardless of the the day brings we know that our Lord is there waiting for us.
Yes, that is why the Chapel is there, to be open for you 24 hours a day. So many people find there way there throughout the day. Inspiring!
Fr Dave
The adoration chapel was a wonderful idea.!! Thank you for your efforts to start it.
Have you had any update on your new parish?
I am so glad I responded to the request to open the Chapel. We were blessed to have such a good, safe, and convenient location for it on the parish grounds as well. I think it is just the right size as well. I have always kept it simple, to keep the focus on the altar and Eucharist.
Fr. Dave, your words paint quite a picture of Paschal Baylon. Thank you for the lessons….both concrete and spiritual.
I am still amazed at the remarkable intersection of our parish, Thousand Oaks sheep flocks, Paschal Baylon, his relics, and the chapel.
Dear Father Dave,
Each week I read your reflections, which are always insightful and give me a perspective I would not otherwise have had. I am grateful to you always: in the past, present, and hopefully the future too. What a gift it is that you have made this possible for us, in Newman’s words (I think) ‘cor ad cor loquitur’….. Madeleine
Sorensen.
Thank you!
Dear Fr. Dave,
We have been so blessed to have you as our pastor for all those years. Nearly not enough for us !
You have accomplished so much and now with all the knowledge you bring to us every week.
We have also seen the many sheep in the earlier years, and very thankful that we belong to our great church named after Paschal…
Love, Marie and Henry Ceci
I thoroughly enjoyed my 12 years at St. Paschal’s. I will never forget them.