This weekend is the Solemnity of the Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Jesus. For over 86 years the celebration of Masses during the weekend, during the week, at weddings, funerals, even at the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders have taken place at our parish. Many souls have received the Body and Blood, soul and divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist.
At this point in your life, during your spiritual journey, how important it is for you to receive Jesus in Holy Communion? In addition I have to ask, do you truly believe that Jesus is present in the Holy Eucharist? If our parish believes that Christ is the Living Eucharist and that we are a Eucharist community, then we truly believe that we receive the blessed life of our Lord and that we are spiritually nourished. A parish that believes that it is a Eucharistic Community is empowered to do the Lord’s work in preparation for the Lord’s return. Are we truly living out what we are receiving at every mass? Do we believe in the presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist? I ask the question again: DO WE BELIEVE? At every Roman Catholic Mass we are fed the Body and Blood of Jesus and the Lord shares His precious and holy food to give us life. Are we bringing souls to share the Lord’s gift to others? Pray for an increase of love, devotion and faith in the Most Holy Eucharist. May all have a Blessed Corpus Christi weekend!
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“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” The Gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 11:2-3) are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord.
St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians 12:8-10 teaches that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Expression of Wisdom, Expression of Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning Spirits, Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues. The Fruits of the Holy Spirit according to St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 5:22-23 are Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Long-Suffering, Humility, Fidelity, Modesty, Continence and Chastity. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always.” This weekend of the Solemnity of Pentecost is the celebration of the birth of the Roman Catholic Church as we recall when the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, comes as flames and wind upon the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Blessed Apostles in the Upper Room. This action of the Holy Spirit encouraged and inspired the Apostles to continue the ministry work of Jesus Christ.
Pentecost officially closes the Easter Season, but this is not the end! Now is the work of continuing to proclaim that Jesus has risen and is alive, as well as allowing the Holy Spirit to work within and through our lives. Are you ready for this to happen to bless and enhance your spiritual lives? I will make this plea again to our parish community: What are you prepared to do to improve your spiritual lives and help our parish community; to foster stewardship to improve the life of St. James Church; and evangelize to proclaim the love, mercy and Truth of Jesus Christ to the poor souls in dire need in our community? May the Holy Spirit renew and heal us all and be allowed to work within us and through us! This weekend our Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven and prayerfully prepares for the Solemnity of Pentecost. Just as the Lord ascended into Heaven to take His rightful place next to God, His Almighty Father, we profess that the Lord will return in glory to earth. If we believed and understood this, then our attitudes and behavior would be much more different.
I am constantly thinking to myself, “Am I ready?” “What if at this very moment Christ is seen returning to the earth?” We must think about this event, the return of Jesus, and pray that we will be prepared and ready for His glorious return. Do you think about this or just what are you focused on or what is consuming your attention? Just what part of what Jesus said about being prepared for His return do we or do we not understand? While we are waiting for Jesus’ glorious return to this world we are to be doing the Lord’s work, which is primarily, “Go make disciples in His Name!” We are to be about the business of God, the Father Almighty, which is to preach the Good News, spread the faith, bring people to Jesus and share the Lord’s love and mercy to those poor souls in dire need. Let us do the Lord’s work with the time He is giving us. Let us pray for one another. Let’s get prepared and ready! |
Rev. David EdwardsPastor, St. James Catholic Church Archives
November 2018
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