Friar’s Corner: Only you, Jesus, have the words of everlasting life

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-18b; Ps 34:2-3, 16-21; Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32 John 6:60-69 (

The protective and sealing Blood of Jesus over all that we are, say, have and do. Now we ask the grace of the Holy Spirit to guide us in the words of St. Francis of Assisi. “Most high and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our minds. Instill in us a correct faith, a certain hope, perfect love and profound humility, O Lord, with wisdom and understanding to truly carry out your holy will.”

This Sunday’s Mass readings end a four-week reflection of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Jesus does not explain to his disciples how he was going to give them his body and blood to eat and drink. Many of his disciples left and returned to the former way of life. Jesus turns to the apostles and asks if they too are going to leave him. The bold Peter says, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God,” John 6:69.

Today, Jesus asks us the same question. We have been seeing countless numbers of Catholics leaving the Church both new and old. They have not understood one of the most important elements of our faith: belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. What will stem this tide?

In the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, a book about the Catechism of the Catholic Church written as a parent would explain the faith to their children, the Mass is described in many ways in 19 pages from chapter 17, The Eucharist: source and summit of our Christian life.

When I was young many years ago the Mass was taught as a sacrifice. Over the years I see the Mass in so many aspects like looking at a diamond ring in the sunshine. Here are the various ways to illustrate its divine power for us:

• the Breaking of the Bread
• the Lord’s Supper
• the Eucharistic Assembly
• the Memorial of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection
• the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
• the Holy and Divine Liturgy
• the Eucharistic Liturgy
• Holy Communion
• the Holy Mass

In the old covenant the Mass as directed by God through Moses as a meal before the Jews left Egypt. Jesus, the new Moses, gives us a new covenant, which began with his life, death and resurrection, to bring us into a New Covenant sealed in his own blood. We have been repeating this new sacred meal for about 15 years short of 2,000 since the Last Supper. “Do this as a remembrance of me,” Luke 22:19c, was Jesus’ instruction after the words of consecration.

What are the effects of this sacred meal or banquet? Holy Communion increases our union with Christ. Just as bodily food sustains our physical life, so Holy Communion nourishes our spiritual life. This Communion moves us away from sin, strengthening our moral resolve to avoid evil and turn ever more powerfully toward God. We need more of this “food from heaven,” even daily, to stay closer to Jesus and have His power to not live by the pagan values of our culture today. The closer we get to Jesus the more we “glow with His resurrected light.” Thus we help bring more people to Jesus and “save souls.” We help make the world a better and joyful place to live.

I now want to give you a very short prayer to the Holy Trinity to help stem the attacks of satan and his dark side forces from further destroying our family, livelihood, country and world. You can adjust the words a little for the various intentions you may have where you are. We can be like ghost busters without the white Cadillac. Our backpacks are mighty prayers.

First cover yourself and all that you have and do with the Blood of Jesus. Then ask God the Father to do something in Jesus’ Name. “Father, you know the satanic things in, around and thrown at me or ____. Break it up and clean it out. If it is coming from any other human being, send back to them your merciful graces of faith, conversion and repentance. I ask in Jesus’ name.” Then ask Jesus to do the same thing in his name. Then ask the Holy Spirit the same thing.

You are not doing this. You are asking God to do it, which lessens retaliation against you and yours. At times I have ask God to shut down an abortion mill. Daily I pray for the conversion of some of those Moslem terrorists. For them I mostly used the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Twenty percent of people confirmed are led by the Holy Spirit to intercede for various situations at home and around the world. Please, use wisdom.

Lord, fill us with your radiant light and glory, so we can shine more brightly in your kingdom for your glory, not ours. Amen.

Have a victorious week.

Blessings,
+ Fr. Bob Hilz

(© 2015 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)