6th Week of Easter 2026 - Tuesday - The Paraclete's case for Christ

 

Chapters 14 to 17 of John’s Gospel are known as the Farewell Discourse—a formal farewell speech Jesus delivered at the Last Supper on the night before he died. In his Farewell address, as we heard today, Jesus speaks about his departure to the Father and the sending of the Holy Spirit—his Ascension and Pentecost which we will celebrate in the next two weeks.

As he announces the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, the Lord Jesus uses a fascinating title for the Spirit—Jesus calls Him, in Greek, the parakletos, the Paraclete—a word having legal connotations. The word is even translated as Advocate, in our English translation, a title given to lawyers who defend their clients.

And that’s precisely one of the tasks the Holy Spirit is sent to do. The Holy Spirit acts as a sort of defense attorney, to prove the case for Jesus Christ. The Paraclete throughout history defends Christ’s claim to be God, to be the Messiah, to be the Savior. He advocates for Christ and for belief in Christ. He helps the world remember who Christ is—what Christ has said and taught in his public ministry, and what Christ has done and accomplished in his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

The case for Christ takes place in the courtroom of the world in every age and place until the Lord’s return. And the evidence, the testimony, with which the Spirit proves Christ’s case, is us, the Church.

You want proof that Jesus Christ is truly God and Lord and has conquered sin and death? Look at the evidence produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. Look at the courage of the martyrs; look at the sanctity of the saints—their miracles, their outpouring of love. Look at the unity he has accomplished among the disparate peoples of the world who accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Look at the patience and joy and understanding and knowledge he gives to ordinary people who pray.

Every Christian is to be a piece of evidence in the Spirit’s case that the world might believe. The words and works he inspires, the spiritual fruit he cultivates, are all testimony to convince and convict the world that Jesus Christ is Lord. May we cooperate with the Spirit as best as we possibly can. May we experience the conversion of mind and heart God wants for us, that his life may be evident in us, that the world may witness why following Jesus Christ, why initiation into and active participation in the life of His Church, is the most important thing you can possible do, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all bishops, priests, catechists, and parents may be faithful in preaching and teaching and living out the saving Gospel of Christ.

For an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit among all Christians, and for all who are persecuted for the faith. For those who do not believe in God and for those who have fallen away from the Church.

For all priests, that they may be ardent preachers and faithful stewards of the sacred mysteries. For the sanctification of all priests: for the endurance to remain faithful to their calling amidst so many challenges, and for an increase in vocations to the ordained priesthood.

For the sick, the suffering, those in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice care, for the underemployed and unemployed, for the imprisoned, those with addictions, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, that the Spirit of Consolation may comfort them.

For the deceased members of our families, friends and parish, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all those who fought and died for our freedom.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

 

3rd Week of Easter 2026 - Wednesday (School Mass) - We belong to God

 

It seems strange that during this joyous easter season, we have these readings from the Acts of the Apostles about how the Church was being persecuted. Last week, we heard of how the apostles were thrown into jail for their Christian faith. Yesterday, the reading recounted the death of the first martyr, the deacon Stephen. Today’s reading picks up right where yesterday’s left off. With the death of Stephen a severe persecution broke out in Jerusalem, and Christians were scattered to the country side.

Why do we focus on imprisonment, persecution, suffering, and martyrdom during this season of joy?

The Church reads from the Acts of the Apostles during Easter because it contains the testimony of how ordinary, frightened disciples became courageous because they knew that their redeemer lived. We see how the first Christians were able to keep going, keep loving, keep preaching, keep serving, even when life became difficult because Jesus Christ was risen from the dead, and they believed that preaching and serving the Gospel was the most important thing they could do for themselves and others.

These stories are so powerful for us because they help us to be courageous and to serve God when it is difficult as well. I can’t promise you that being a follower of Jesus will help you overcome a fear of heights, or spiders, or other phobias. But I can promise you that as you seek to follow Jesus more and more faithfully, you will become a more courageous, generous, loving, peaceful, wise Christian. As you begin to hand your minds and your hearts over to Jesus more and more, he will help you overcome temptation, he will give you strength of spirit, he will help you carry the burdens of your life—including the burdens that other people do not even know about—troubles at home, grief, loneliness, or social pressure.

In the Gospel, Jesus says, I will not lose anyone who comes to me, but I will raise them up on the last day. Here was another powerful reminder to the early church. Following Jesus means that you belong to God. And God does not lose things, like we do.

The early Christians were scattered by persecution, but wherever they went, Jesus was with them. So too with us. Whenever we experience the pressure and hatred of the world for being Christian, God is with us. In whatever true challenges we face, God is with us, helping us to do his will, to walk in his light, to witness to the goodness and truth of Jesus Christ.

Trust in the Lord, now and always, for Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in the risen Jesus, who conquered death and continues to guide His Church, let us bring our prayers before our heavenly Father.

For the Church throughout the world:  that, like the Apostles, she may boldly and faithfully preach Jesus Christ risen from the dead, and that Jesus, the Bread of Life, may be her strength in every season, let us pray to the Lord.

For Christians throughout the world, especially those who are mocked, threatened, or persecuted for their faith:  that the Lord may protect them and fill them with the same courage he gave to the Apostles, let us pray to the Lord.

That the grace of Easter may deeply transform our lives, strengthen marriages, renew our families, increase vocations and sanctify the clergy, make us attentive to the poor and helpless, bring peace to the world, and bless us in carrying out the mission of the Gospel.  Let us pray to the Lord.

For Corpus Christi Academy:  that our students, teachers, and families may let the power of Jesus’ resurrection shape the way we think, speak, and live each day, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who are sick, suffering, or discouraged:  that the victory of the risen Lord may give them strength, peace, and hope, let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead:  that they may share forever in the glory of Christ’s resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, you raised your Son from the dead and filled the Apostles with courage and joy. Hear these prayers we place before you and help us to live always in the light of Easter. Through Christ our Lord.

 

2nd Week of Easter 2026 - Wednesday (School Mass) - The power of Christ's resurrection in the life of the Church

 

A week and a half ago, Christians celebrated the great feast of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. After suffering and dying on the cross and being buried in the tomb, Jesus rose from the dead, just as he said he would.

As you can see, the Church is still decorated with many signs of Easter, the priest wears the color white, to signify that we are still in the Easter season, we still have easter flowers and decorations. Much of the world has moved on from Easter, but Christians continue to celebrate Easter for 50 days—from Easter Sunday to Pentecost.

One of the features of the Easter season is that we read extensively from the book of the Bible called “The Acts of the Apostles”. The Acts of the Apostles is found in your bibles right after the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Where the Gospels focus on the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Acts of the Apostles talks about what happened next—those first weeks and months and years of the Church.

We read from the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter Season because in the Acts of the Apostles we see the impact Jesus’ resurrection had on the apostles—how Jesus’ resurrection changed them, animated them, guided their words and actions and behaviors—how they shared news of the resurrection and the importance of believing in Jesus and following Jesus and being baptized.

We also hear how the Apostles were hated by the world, just as Jesus was hated. But the Apostles were willing to suffer for the mission of the Church because their task was given to them by Jesus—to go and make disciples of all nations teaching them to observe all that he has commanded and baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles today, we hear how the Sadducees were filled with anger and jealousy over the teachings of the Apostles, just like they were filled with anger and jealousy over the teachings of Jesus. And like they did to Jesus, they threw the Apostles in jail. But then, there is something that reminds us of Easter. Just as the prison bars of death could not contain Jesus, the prison bars could not contain the Apostles. The temple guard found them, not in prison, but back in the temple area preaching and teaching in Jesus’ name.

Over the last 2000 years later, many of the world governments have tried to eradicate the Church and stop the preaching of the Gospel. Christians have been thrown in prison, tortured, and killed. But the mission continues and succeeds because the Catholic Church is not just some man-made institution—it is the body of Christ, risen from the dead, victorious over death, which continues to preach and teach in his name the message of salvation—that those who believe in Jesus and follow him shall have eternal life.

And just as the power of Jesus resurrection guided and shaped the early Church, it continues to guide and shape our lives, if we let it, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in the risen Jesus, who conquered death and continues to guide His Church, let us bring our prayers before our heavenly Father.

For the Church throughout the world:  that, like the Apostles, she may boldly and faithfully preach Jesus Christ risen from the dead, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Holy Father, Pope Leo, our bishops, priests, deacons, and all who teach the faith: that they may be strengthened by the joy of Easter and remain courageous in proclaiming the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord.

For Christians throughout the world, especially those who are mocked, threatened, or persecuted for their faith:  that the Lord may protect them and fill them with the same courage he gave to the Apostles, let us pray to the Lord.

For Corpus Christi Academy:  that our students, teachers, and families may let the power of Jesus’ resurrection shape the way we think, speak, and live each day, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who are sick, suffering, or discouraged:  that the victory of the risen Lord may give them strength, peace, and hope, let us pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead:  that they may share forever in the glory of Christ’s resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, you raised your Son from the dead and filled the Apostles with courage and joy. Hear these prayers we place before you and help us to live always in the light of Easter. Through Christ our Lord.

Easter Octave 2026 - Friday - Come, have breakfast

 

On Easter Sunday morning, the angel gave instructions that the disciples were to leave Judaea and go to Galilee where the would see the Lord. Well, in today’s Gospel, the disciples have traveled to Galilee—to the Sea of Tiberius, which is another name for the Sea of Galilee—and there they see the Lord.

Now, notice that they’ve returned to Galilee, and they’re not exactly looking that hard for Jesus. They aren’t preaching, teaching, healing, or spreading the Gospel in his name. In fact, they seem to have reverted to their old way of life—they’ve gone fishing.

Well, they might not have been looking that hard for Jesus, but Jesus was looking for them. He makes himself visible to them, he calls out them from the seashore, and when they approach him, Jesus says, “come have breakfast”. 

There is something unique about breakfast. Breakfast is not a royal banquet, it’s a simple meal, typically shared with family. Breakfast is informal; everybody might still be a bit disheveled before having their favorite caffeinated beverage—not everyone is washed or totally awake. The disciples, after a night of working, certainly fit this description. Like a parent for children still groggy from sleep, the Lord makes breakfast for these groggy children, he even calls them children. And in his closeness to them, in sharing the meal, they recognize that it was the Lord.

Easter was 5 days ago, and we, like the disciples are already a bit groggy. Our catechumens, initiated at  the Easter Vigil are still wrapping their minds and hearts about meeting Jesus in the Sacraments.

Maybe, since easter, we like the disciples retreating to fishing, have retreated back into old bad habits already instead of allowing Easter to change us. Maybe, since Lent is over, we haven’t been looking for Jesus that hard in prayer. But it is good that we are here, at Mass. Weekday Mass is so powerful, and I wish more people would come to weekday Mass, because the Lord meets us here for an intimate family meal—like the Lord dining with his disciples on the seashore--to feed us, to reorient us and strengthen our faith for the work he has for us out in the world.

The Collect for Mass today asks God to dispose our minds that the faith we celebrate may be expressed in our deeds. That’s exactly what the Lord was doing on the seashore with the disciples, opening their minds to the reality of his resurrection, that their faith might impel them into the world. And he does the same thing here. May the reality and power of the Lord’s resurrection animate our words and deeds today, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ.

For our own community, that it may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received.

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.

 

3rd Week of Easter 2025 - Tuesday - "What sign can you do that we might believe?"

 

What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?

In today’s Gospel the people were asking for a sign so they could believe that Jesus was really sent by God.

And Jesus said, I’ll give you a sign: bread. But not just any bread. Bread that is my flesh. Bread that is my body and blood and soul and divinity.

Pope Benedict XVI wrote about the Eucharist that “The Eucharist means God has answered:  The Eucharist is God as an answer, as an answering presence.”

In the Eucharist, God answers our prayers to know that He is with us in our challenges, crosses, temptations, doubts, and disappointments. He is with us in our struggle to love our enemies, forgive those who hurt us, give to those who ask of us. The Eucharist is God’s answer to man’s question “where can I find God, now, and believe in him”. 

In the Eucharist, the Word become flesh has made his dwelling among us, and we can see his glory. In the Eucharist, the Lord’s teaching is fulfilled that, “behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age”. In the Eucharist, we come to understand how Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.

The Church’s use of John Chapter six during this easter season is so fitting, therefore, because it answers how the risen Christ, who appeared to the disciples, can now be glimpsed and approached and adored and received by us, by all people.

So many of our contemporaries are starving for God; they go from one unsatisfying pursuit to another, searching for God—even to the point of self-destruction in some cases. All the while, God is here, present on the altar, present in the tabernacle, able to be received by those who believe in Him. God has given the sign for all those able and willing to see.

During the Easter season we certainly pray for a deeper appreciation and gratitude for God’s answer to humanity’s longing, which is now such a source of strength and joy for the Church. But we also  consider how our Easter mission is to lead souls here—how God’s grace impels us into the world, to help souls find Christ in the Eucharist—so they like us can find the answer to desires and longing for God, for wholeness, and peace, and joy, and the promise of eternal life, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in Christ’s true presence among us in the Eucharist, we present our prayers and petitions to our Heavenly Father.

That the Church around the world may be a visible sign of the light of the Risen Lord calling all people to new life and communion with Him, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals as they prepare for the conclave and the papal election.

For leaders of nations, that they may be guided by the wisdom and love revealed in Christ’s Eucharistic sacrifice, promoting justice, peace, and dignity for all people.

For priests and those preparing for priestly ministry, that their hearts may be strengthened and their lives continually transformed by the Eucharist, the source of their joy and priestly identity, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

For married couples and families, that the self-giving love of Christ made present in the Eucharist may inspire and sustain their love and fidelity to one another.

For those experiencing spiritual hunger, loneliness, or despair, that they may encounter Christ, finding in him nourishment, peace, and fulfillment for their souls.

For those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, that they may draw comfort and strength from Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and from the charitable giving of the Body of Christ.

For our beloved dead, especially Pope Francis, that they may share in that eternal life promised to those who ate and drank the body and blood of Christ.

Gracious Father, hear our prayers. Nourish us continually with your Son’s presence in the Eucharist, and grant us the grace to lead others to this divine source of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

3rd Week of Easter 2025 - Monday - Do not work for food that perishes

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.”  The word used for “work” in this passage is the Greek word, ergon, a word that denotes hard labor and physical exertion.  Here Jesus is saying that the way of righteousness is no easy matter; Christian discipleship requires more than merely emotional or intellectual assent.  Daily we are called to the ergon—the hard work—of the Gospel—of turning away from our sins and embracing Jesus' commands.  Daily, we are called to the hard work of bringing our hearts, which so love independence and self-reliance, before the throne of God to submit to his will.

This command to work for food that endures is a reversal of how we normally think and act. The unconverted soul exerts tremendous effort—the entirety of his effort—pursuing his own aims—worshipping his false gods. 

The Bishop who ordained me a deacon and priest, Bishop Lennon once wrote that when our lives are focused on false Gods of prosperity, prestige, or the pursuit of what our secular world calls the good life, we will likely reap a harvest of unhappiness and exhaustion.  Yet, when God is at the center of our lives, when we fulfill all of our responsibilities as ways of serving Him, when He is included in our meals, chores, conversations, parenting, work, vacations, civic responsibilities, decisions, problems, crises, accomplishments, and losses—then the whole of our lives become charged and changed with God's presence.  

Food that perishes ultimately leave us unsatisfied, but the food of eternal life—the food of eternal life—the nourishment of mind and heart and soul that comes from God—will not only sustain us in this life, changes us, transforms us, converts us, and opens us to eternity.

Working with all of our hearts to serve God does not bring exhaustion and unhappiness, rather it brings new life and joy.

The Easter season is certainly the time of the Church year when we consider how we are being called to serve God, to witness to the Gospel in our words and deeds. Our Easter mission entails hard work, and we should not shy away from that hard work because it ultimately sustains and fulfills us. But that hard work is a personal responsibility—it requires each of us to assess our gifts, to prayerfully consider how those gifts can be utilized for the work of the kingdom, and to put those gifts into action.

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life” for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.  

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Trusting in God's strength as we strive to labor for food that endures to eternal life, we bring our prayers and petitions before our Heavenly Father.

That the Church around the world may be a visible sign of the light of the Risen Lord calling all people to new life and communion with Him, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals as they prepare for the conclave and the papal election.

For world leaders and those in authority, that their efforts and decisions may reflect a commitment to truth, justice, and service to the common good for a society that values the pursuit of holiness and eternal life.

For families, communities, and workplaces, that they may be transformed and sanctified by placing God at the center of daily responsibilities and interactions.

For those who experience spiritual dryness, fatigue, or discouragement, that the Eucharist—the food of eternal life—may refresh their souls and renew their commitment to Christ, we pray to the Lord.

For our beloved deceased, especially Pope Francis, that their faithful labors on earth may lead them to everlasting rest and joy in God's eternal kingdom, and for N.

Father of all goodness, hear these prayers and strengthen us in our daily labors to serve you wholeheartedly, seeking always the nourishment that endures forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

 

2nd Week of Easter 2025 - Wednesday - For God so loved the world

 

The Gospel of John is often times referred to as the Gospel of Love. The theme of love lies at the heart of the Fourth Gospel, pervading every aspect of the book. John’s Gospel finds Jesus constantly teaching about love, speaking about love, commanding his disciples to love.

Jesus’ actions are manifestations of God’s love for us, he tells us to love one another as He has loved us. He makes known the love of God and directs his disciples to love God and our neighbor. Jesus himself tells us that he loves us. “I love you” are on the very lips of Jesus himself: “as the Father loves me, so I love you.”

Today, we heard the very first instance of the word love in John’s Gospel. In the conversation with Nicodemus, in Chapter 3, verse 16, we read the verse: “For 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.”

This verse is treated by many as a sort of summary of the Gospel of Love. God desires our salvation because he loves us, and salvation is found in Jesus Christ. God sent his Son because God wants eternal life for us because he loves us.

During the Easter Season we consider how we are called to witness to God in our words and deeds. But we are not witnessing to some abstract notion of God—a faceless, nameless, cosmic force. We witness to the love of God made manifest in Christ Jesus risen from the dead.

This is a God who desires the salvation of even the most debased of sinners because he truly loves. He wants what is best for each of us: the flourishing of our minds and souls and our salvation.

But love is not forced. So, the question posed by the Gospel of John is: will you allow yourself to be loved by God by following where he leads, by believing in the Truth he reveals, by changing those behaviors and ideas that cause you to be less than what you were made to be.

Answering that question in the affirmative, we begin to love what God loves, and we recognize that we have a role to play in spreading the kingdom of his love in word and deed by witnessing to the one who offers eternal life and sets souls free.

The experience of Easter is to be immersed in the love of God, to be transformed by the love of God, to become instruments of the love of God for the glory of God and the salvation of sous.

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Rejoicing in God's boundless love revealed in Christ Jesus, we offer our prayers and petitions to our Heavenly Father.

For all Christians, that we may experience deeply the love of God and courageously witness to it in our daily lives.

For peace in our families and communities, that the love of Christ may inspire reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity among us.

For the Holy Spirit’s guidance of the College of Cardinals as they prepare for Conclave and the next Papal election.

For the sick, the suffering, and all who feel forgotten or unloved, that they may experience the comfort and healing touch of Christ’s compassion.

For our beloved dead, that they may fully experience the eternal life promised through God's infinite love.

Heavenly Father, your love for us is eternal and unfailing. Hear our prayers, and help us to be living witnesses of that love to all we encounter. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

Easter Octave Tuesday - 2024 - To share in God's life is to share in His work.

The Easter Octave, the eight-day celebration beginning on Easter Sunday is a period deeply imbued with the joy and triumph of Christ's Resurrection. We read the various Gospel accounts of Easter Sunday, and our first readings are taken from the Acts of the Apostles, particularly from Pentecost Sunday.

Why do we read about Pentecost on Easter?

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter Octave connects the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection with the mission of the Church.  

The Lord’s resurrection is God’s victory over sin—the mission for which Jesus was sent, the salvation of souls, succeeded. And during Easter we consider how the Lord’s mission of salvation continues through us—who share in his life through baptism. 

The new life of Easter involves a new share in the work of God. You can’t share in the life of God without sharing in his work.  Christians are called not only to a personal relationship with God, but also a sacramental relationship, a communal relationship through his Church, and also a share in the missionary life of the Body of Christ. Christ came as a missionary to the human race, and his church continues that missionary mission.

And we read from the Acts of the Apostles, to show us what that missionary life looks like. 

Yesterday, we heard Peter declare, “Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs… This man…you killed… But God raised him up.” Sharing in the life of Christ involves proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus—sharing the good news men need to hear.

And today, Peter’s speech not only proclaims Christ risen, but also invites those guilty of crucifying Him to repent and to enter into life. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

All those guilty of crucifying Christ, that’s all of us—God wants baptized in order to bestow signs of that living relationship through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The call to repentance and baptismal faith that we hear in Peter's speech is not just a historical event 2000 years ago but an ongoing invitation to each of us. 

Baptism, which some of us received decades and decades ago, involves an openness to the unfolding and increase of God’s grace. Continuous dying to our old selves in order to rise to new life. Life can always be renewed, if we are 2 weeks old or a 102. There is always something to new, there is always new life, new gifts, God wishes to bestow for the sake of the mission. 

Like Mary in the Gospel, tears, shed over losing sight of Jesus, are meant to make way for proclamation. “Why are you weeping…Go and tell my brother…” Okay you found me, now get up and get to work. Don’t just stay here at the tomb, this is a place of death. Get up and prove that you are alive through action, through the work of the Church. 

May our easter celebrations continue to open us to the joy of the gospel, the joy that comes through active participation in the good work of the Church for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

2nd Week of Easter 2021 - Friday - Abundance of Spiritual Food

 Having read through the entirety of Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus from chapter 3 of St. John's Gospel over the past four days, we now begin a week long reading of John Chapter 6.  St. John's sixth chapter is comprised of two miracle stories and a teaching: the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and Jesus walking on the water and the great Bread of Life discourse.  I encourage you to read and reflect on the entire chapter to get a sense of what's coming over the next 8 days.

For the past few days we've heard Jesus talk about the importance of believing in Him that we may have eternal life.  This miracle story seems to answer the question, “what kind of life does Jesus offer?”.  “What kind of life does Jesus offer?” Abundant life.  In the miracle of the multitude he takes the little that is possessed by the few and transforms it into a feast for the multitude.  What is brought to him, is multiplied into an abundance. 5 loaves are not only enough to feed five thousand, but there are twelve wicker baskets left over.

Similarly in the miracle at the wedding at Cana. The Lord doesn’t just transform a mug of water into wine. He transforms 120—150 gallons—of water into wine, more than they would need for the remainder of the wedding celebration.

Finding enough food for sustenance is not easy for a lot of people on this planet. And the Lord provides not only enough for sustenance, but abundance. This is particularly true in the spiritual life. 

Many souls wander around this planet trying to find something to sustain them—to give them courage, to give them inner strength, to give them what they need to make it through this vale of tears. They turn to the new age, they turn to popular psychology, modern philosophy, or the pharmaceutical industry. These may satisfy for a time, but in the end they always leave us exhausted and unhappy. 

But in Christ, we are finally able be fed spiritually in a deep and last manner; and not just with enough nourishment to satisfy us, but with more than we will ever need. The Christian life is an infinite mine in which the more one digs and explores the more one finds. This is evidenced in the life of the saints: abundant means for sanctification are available for those who seek it out. And the reason we are not holier than we are isn’t due to a lack of spiritual food, but because of our refusal to eat it.

“If you remain in me you will bear much fruit. (Jn 15:5)” “I have told you these things that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete (Jn 15:11)” “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance (John 10:10).”

Through prayer and good works may we dispose ourselves—open ourselves—to be fed by the Lord, sanctified by the Lord, who desires to perfect us and complete us by his abundant grace for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ, especially we pray for the conversion of those who refuse belief in God and Jesus the Christ, His Son.

For our parish, and for the newly initiated, that we may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ.

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.