The Bread of Life

The Gospel according to St. John Chapter 6, well I'm not a priest or any other theologian, and I only went through 7th grade in Catholic school. But it seems to me that this is the chapter that separates the men from the boys. The ones who accept Christ and follow His commands the ones who truly believe, even i what we do not understand from the ones who are willing to follow Jesus, whether or not we are able to fully comprehend what He says. And who can understand or would presume to understand fully the mind of God -- the logos the Word of God the word of God made flesh.

Jesus said that whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood there is no life in you. Ans so it is easy to understand why so many who called themselves followers of Jesus shook their heads and turned away or followed hm no more. As many who call themselves Christians still do to this day.

It is difficult to understand, how the body walks up to the priest or Eucharistic minister and eats bread and drinks wine; and at the same time the soul being carried to this point by a body whose mind does not but takes on faith and believes in the Word of God. The soul eats and takes nourishment from the body of Christ and from His blood. And so, as with the other sacraments, the body and mind shows faith by carrying the soul to it's nourishment. The result is grace, flowing directly from God into the soul, so that it can radiate, so that the soul can radiate it back to the world. For we are in the world but not of it. Our connection is Holy Mother Church through the Scriptures, the sacraments and doctrine. None of which we can fully understand, but how could the creature hope to understand the Creator. God himself is mystery,the reality of Jesus -- God incarnate -- is mystery. Blessed Mother, to whom we are closest, is a mystery or things about her are. Her immaculate conception, her grace, her humility, her remaining sinless, the grace she received by carrying and giving birth to God, her human and motherly love for the human Jesus as well as her worship and obedience to God. These are all mysteries, that we followers of Christ -- Universal Christians take on faith. Taking and eating the bread of life is an act of faith based on our belief. Our belief in the Word of God -- Jesus Christ. And so we shared this truth with the world when one of our first bishops St. John first recited his experience with Jesus at our first masses, and than preserved for as he wrote his Gospel, as witnessed by Sts. Polycarp and Ireanus.

And we have been doing this, expressing our faith, since Jesus first uttered these words.

I went to the 1230 mass today at my parish. I was a bit upset as my earthly love. my fiance, was cross and fearful last night. But I remembered that it was God who brought us together and we remain connected in love for God and each other. These things themselves are mysteries.

It's a challenging time for us, as I accept and impending layoff, which many are facing. And I did not share these news with her until recently, even though I had known for awhile. I did not wan her to worry so I lied by omission, and thus had the opposite affect -- actually increasing her insecurity and her willingness to help. Robbing her of an opportunity share in charitable love.

I think we men are susceptible to thee and have to work harder at sharing our days, events feelings revelations. My way is to work harder myself, even though God has a calling for me.

So, the rest of this day was filled with work, to leave a proper turnover.

I did see the movie "The Rookie" again, starring Dennis Quaid. A great film even if one does not like baseball. It is interesting the prominent role St. Rita plays in the film. So, many of us are critical of "Hollywood", but they do many things right as well.

I love living in Pasadena, although I would like to move to Santa Monica soon. Walking in Pasadena is like walking in a picture postcard. It is truly a blessing to be here.

No political commentary today, except praise for President Clinton for freeing he Journalists from North Korea.

Peace be with you all.

copyright 2009 Fred Celio