For the Sundays of August on the 1st,8th, and 22nd, the Gospel will be from
the Bread of Life discourse from John 6:24-69. Every three years in the
Sunday reading cycle we hear Chapter 6 of John. Because this Solemnity
of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15th) falls on a
Sunday, the readings of the Assumption will be used.
Let us look at the next Sundays almost as a retreat, or a set of conferences
in having the Eucharist as the theme. I am greatly looking forward to it.
If there was one Gospel that I would urge all Catholics to read, it would
be John 6. Whether one’s faith is strong or lukewarm, I would urge that
person to read this passage from Gospel of John. It says it all. All our
faith rests in Jesus’s words. Our belief is in the Real Presence of Jesus in
the Eucharist. Or belief is that Jesus of Nazareth is the eternal Son of
God is contained in this chapter. The truth that gift of faith can grow,
diminish, or even be lost is made evident in this chapter.
When Cardinal Timothy Dolan ordained me as a deacon he shared this
motto with me Ad Quem Ibimus, To Whom Shall We Go? Those are the
words that Peter said to Jesus after some of the disciples of Jesus left
because they couldn’t believe in Christ’s words anymore.
Let us sincerely pray to God asking for an increase of our faith,
especially faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Let us say
earnestly with St. Peter: “We have come to believe and are convinced that
you are the Holy One of God.”
In Jesus & Mary,
Fr. Jeff Yildirmaz
