Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Springfield, IL

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Week of Jan. 25 Mass Intentions

Monday, January 25

7am – Special Intention for Heather McMillen
(Chris Sommer)

5:15pm – Sr. M. Pauletta Overbeck, OP
(Becky & Woody Woodhull)

Tuesday, January 26

7am – Anna A. Eleyidath
(Augustine Eleyidath)

5:15pm – Terry Beggs
(Joan Stannard)

Wednesday, January 27

7am – Repose of the Soul of Averil Rossiter
(Jane Fornoff) 

5:15pm – Rev. Samuel Kothapalli
(Joan Stannard)

Thursday, January 28

7am – Special Intention for Erin S.Danaher
(Chris Sommer)

5:15pm – Anna Eleyidath
(Augustine Eleyidath)

Friday, January 29

7am – Bonnie Donnals
(Roberts Families)

5:15pm – John & Edith Bakalar
(John Busciacco)

Saturday, January 30

8am – Angeline Sherman
(Linda Keller)

4pm – John (Jack) McCarthy
(Family)

Sunday, January 31

7am – For the People

10am – Boyd Warner
(Sue Warner)

5pm – Charles & Mercedes Nesbitt
(Kathy Frank) 

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Advent Around the Cathedral

Daily Advent Reflections

Prepare for the Birth of Christ with daily Advent reflections written by Cathedral parishioners! Beginning Sunday, November 29th, we will be sending daily Advent reflections to Cathedral parishioners via email. To sign up to receive these emails, you can do so on our website at https://spicathedral.org/subscribe-to-the-weekly-eblast/.

Any questions regarding signing up, please reach out to Haley at [email protected] or Vicki at [email protected]

Advent Resources

Join us this Advent as we pray, study, and act on how to build a culture of peace. This guide includes reflections on the weekly Scripture readings during Advent along with prayers, examples of Maryknoll missioner experiences, and suggested steps for “faith in action.” We hope this guide helps individuals and communities reflect on how they can prepare their hearts to welcome the Prince of Peace this Advent. Visit www.maryknollogc.org/resources to download this resource.

Free Sacred Heart Course: Behold Thy Mother – Getting to Know the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Help of Christians, Star of the Sea . . . . The Blessed Virgin Mary goes by many titles. Why do Catholics love her so? And how can we foster our relationship with Mary and learn to imitate her virtues? We would like to invite you to join the distinguished faculty of Sacred Heart Major Seminary on an indepth journey exploring the beautiful teachings of our Catholic faith about Mary: her role as Mother of God, her Perpetual Virginity, her Immaculate Conception, and her Assumption into Heaven. This free, self-paced non-credit course is designed for the everyday Catholic who seeks to (re)discover the gifts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her role in our lives and in the Church. This four-week course runs from November 29 to December 27, 2020 Visit www.shms.edu/ to register.

How About a Great Advent Video Bible Study?

Beginning Sunday, November 29th, Next Level Catholic Academy is offering free streaming of one of our Scripture courses titled “Introduction the Psalms.” The course is a powerful discussion that opens up the power and spiritual depth of this amazing book of the Bible. It’s taught by Dr. John Bergsma, best-selling author and two-time winner of “Best Teacher” at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Dr. Bergsma is no stuffy, bearded theologian. In fact, he’s famous for his hilarious stick figure drawings to illustrate the profound truths he’s drawing out of the text. If you’d like to participate in this totally free series and experience the power and glory of the Psalms this Advent, sign up at www.NextLevelCatholicAcademy.com!

Let Your Soul Shine with Matthew Kelly

“Hey, we can see your soul from here!” —said all your friends after you had the best Advent of your life…

Have the best Advent of your life. Have the best Christmas of your life. Have the best year of your life. Have the best life of your life!!! Sign up now at www.dynamiccatholic.com/home

The Road to Bethlehem: An Advent Journey for You and Your Family

Join us for the Road to Bethlehem, a journey that includes daily Advent reflections and enrichment from FORMED. We will be sending you handpicked videos, talks, and texts every day throughout Advent to nourish your spiritual life. Sign up today to prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus at Christmas! Sign up here: https://advent.augustineinstitute.org/

Unshakeable Joy

JOY. Imagine having real, lasting, unshakeable joy in the midst of a world where nothing seems solid. You can.

Joy isn’t found in the places where most people would think to look. Joy doesn’t depend on a change in your circumstances, but a change in YOU. Join Chris Stefanick alongside Cardinal-elect Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household for Saint Pope John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict, and Pope Francis, for a FREE online 26-day retreat. You can make this an Advent like never before. Visit www.coaching.reallifecatholic.com/unshakeable-joy to sign up.

Walking to the Manger: Four Weeks of Daily Devotions for Advent

Advent is the start, the arrival, the dawn of a journey that leads us not only to the manger where we find the Christ-child, but to a new understanding of our relationship to the world and to one another as people of faith. Walking to the Manger is a four-week daily devotional inviting you to make walking, reflecting, and prayer a part of your daily Advent practice—helping you to be a beacon of hope to people looking at Christmas lights with new yearning this year. Visit https://www.cokesbury.com/advent2020 to purchase this book.

St. Francis Xavier: A Madman for Christ

Feast Day: December 3rd 

We have one more saint to meet during our investigation of baptism.  This week we celebrate the saint who was baptized Francisco, and grew up in Javier [Xavier] of the Kingdom of Navarre (nowadays in North East Spain), with a prosperous farmer for a father and a mother claiming noble blood.  The prosperity was tenuous at best, his homeland being invaded by King Ferdinand of Aragon (who you might know as the husband of Isabella, and sponsor of Christopher Columbus) when Francisco was 6.  During the next 18 years of war, Francisco would lose his father, and most of his family’s castle would be demolished.

Still, at the age of 19, he was able to begin his studies at the University of Paris, where, in God’s good providence, he fell in with Pierre Favre (a long time friend) and Ignatius of Loyola (a new friend, and far older than both other men, himself a convert-by-cannonball, which is a story for another day…).  These friends sought to convince the vivacious Francisco that to follow God would offer him a far more exciting life than to spend his life seeking worldly fame.  As he studied philosophy (and then taught it), and then studied theology, Xavier gradually was won over by the earnest Ignatius and in 1534, chose with 5 other men to go through the Spiritual Exercises and definitively join together in poverty, chastity, and obedience (specifically, individually, in service to the Pope) and to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem to see where God wanted them to offer their labors for the salvation of souls.  Not dissimilar from 11 apostles 1500 years before, the 10 men (as it grew to a year later), praying in a nondescript chapel on a hill of Paris, would bear fruit far beyond their human abilities.

Francisco offered his services as secretary of the new order, daringly named the Society of Jesus, though Francis’ role would remain mundane for 6 more years.  But then, in 1540, Pope Paul III (the one who called the Council of Trent first supported Michelangelo’s efforts as an artist, and also given the go ahead for the Jesuits to form) now requested that they offer their services as missionaries to the new Portuguese discoveries in the East Indies.  Two other early Jesuits were tapped for the (presumably one-way) trip, but one came down sick just before they were to leave, and Ignatius asked Francis to take his spot.  

The eager 34-year-old left Rome in March, arrived in Portugal in June, and spent 8 months preparing for the voyage.  The pair departed Europe in April of 1541, arrived in Mozambique in August, and Goa, India, by May, 1542.  The following three years would be packed with caring for the natives of Southern India, building and working in hospitals, educating the peasant population, and baptizing tens of thousands every month.  He repeated this feat in Malacca (now Malaysia, in 1545), Maluku (now Indonesia, in 1546), Japan (in 1549), and China (in 1551, dying just before arriving on the mainland) facing countless deprivations, immense struggle to learn the native languages, and hostility by the cultic leaders who had previously sustained themselves off the lesser castes.  His body was returned to Goa, India, where it remains to this day, though, as only Catholic are apt to do, his arm, the same one that baptized hundreds of thousands, was eventually taken all the way back to the Jesuit headquarters in Rome, where it has stayed ever since (except a few excursions “on tour” around Canada, Australia, and other countries that even this legendary missionary couldn’t reach in this life).  

Perhaps what we are meant to learn from this saint is a simple truth: Christianity is an incarnate religion.  Everything we believe is founded upon our God becoming man.  Continuing this humility: today God depends on human lips, and limbs, and learning to preach, and baptize, and teach for Him.  And, for the very same reason, it is Christianity, and Christian saints, that relentlessly cherish the incarnate persons we encounter in every culture the world over, and none the less, desire ardently to bring them that incarnate love given to the Church in her scripture and sacraments.  May we have the gumption to do the same!

Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason: there is nobody to make them Christians. Again and again I have thought of going round the universities of Europe, especially Paris, and everywhere crying out like a madman. Riveting the attention of those with more learning than charity: What a tragedy:  how many souls are being shut out of heaven and falling into hell, thanks to you!

– Fr. Dominic Rankin keeps waiting for the growth spurt that is sure to send him above his current height of 5’6” (on a good day), but he was happy to realize that sanctity does not depend on stature, for Francis Xavier never surpassed 5’4”, yet his youthful skill at running and high-jumping were surpassed one-hundred-fold by the grace with which he ran the Christian race and reached the heights of glorifying God.

Thousands of miles, and millions encountered.  You and I will do the same in our lives.  But do we as strongly desire to bring Christ to every parsec, and every person?. 

Mass Intentions for the Week of September 14

Monday, September 14

7am – Anna A. Eleyidath (Augustine Eleyidath)
5:15pm – John D. Sullivan (Tom Steil)

Tuesday, September 15

7am – Anna A. Eleyidath (Augustine Eleyidath)
5:15pm – Michael Acorn (Rose Amon)

Wednesday, September 16

7am – Helen Call
(Rebecca & Woody Woodhull)
5:15pm – Henry Charles DeCroix
(Betty & Gene Rogers)

Thursday, September 17

7am – Jack Koester (Cindy Vahling)
5:15pm – Alice Bates (The Bates Family)

Friday, September 18

7am – Special Intention for Cavaliere & Allison Post (Donna Berte)
5:15pm – Special Intention for Bianca
(D. A. Drago)

Saturday, September 19

8am – Helen Zeigler (William & Debra Stonikas)
4pm – For the People

Sunday September 20

7am – Lawrence Jaros (Katie Konsky & Family)
10am – John & Edith Bakalar (John Busciacco)
5pm – Michael Dillon (Lauren Sgambelluri)

St. Monica, Pray for Us!

This past week we had the privilege of celebrating the feast day of a mother and her son. On Thursday, August 27, the Church celebrated the feast of St. Monica. On the following day, the Church celebrated her son, St. Augustine. St. Augustine is recognized by many as one of the greatest and most prolific writers in the nearly 2000-year history of the Church. In fact, there is a saying that if someone claims to have read all of his writings, they would be lying.

But the Church would not have a St. Augustine without a St. Monica. And that fact is true both on a natural level (which is obvious) and on a spiritual level. You see, St. Augustine was far from a saint in his early years. His mother saw that he was living an immoral life, but she supposedly had a vision that he would come back to the faith one day. With the hope given from that vision, she dedicated herself to prayer and fasting for her son. Finally, after 17 years of prayer, St. Augustine was finally baptized in Milan by another future saint, St. Ambrose.

There is a moving passage from the Confessions of St. Augustine, his spiritual autobiography, where he recounts a conversation he had with his mother as the end of her life drew near. He records the following words from his mother:

Son, as far as I am concerned, nothing in this life now gives me any pleasure. I do not know why I am still here, since I have no further hopes in this world. I did have one reason for wanting to live a little longer: to see you become a Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished his gifts on me in that respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be his servant. So what am I doing here?

One of the greatest struggles faced by parents is the sadness they experience when their children have left the practice of the faith. If you, or somebody you know, is in that situation, I encourage you to ask the intercession of St. Monica for their loved ones. Her powerful prayers on earth helped to bring about one of the most important conversions in the life of the Church. From her place in Heaven, her prayers to the Lord on our behalf are even more powerful! St. Monica, pray for us! Father Alford is the Rector of the Cathedral and serves in the diocesan curia as the Vicar for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations. 

The Trinity: Peering in to Jesus’ Relationship in God

Because of Jesus’ sharing of his intimate life of prayer, we know that God is Trinity. Hinted at under various guises in the Old Testament, the Trinity is spoken of in a direct way in both the Gospels and the New Testament epistles. The Church later articulated what we know about it in clear and precise terms. The Trinity, a communion of divine Persons in utter unity, unveils an eternal foundation to what we mean by saying “God is love.” Nevertheless, the Trinity cannot be fully grasped, because God is mystery, far above human comprehension.

The Relationship of the Father and the Son
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “In the Old Testament, “son of God” is a title given to the angels, the Chosen People, the children of Israel, and their kings” (no. 441). Yet the Gospels speak often of Jesus as the Son of God in an altogether new and unique sense. Before Jesus’ birth, the angel Gabriel said to Mary that Jesus “will be called son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32). At his finding in the Temple, the boy Jesus spoke of being in God’s Temple as being “in my Father’s house” (Luke 2:49). We find that the devil even tempts Jesus later by saying, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (Luke 4:3).

In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks more directly of what is meant by his unique Sonship:

“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” (John 3:16).

Also, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves” (John 14:9-11). Thus Jesus’ divine Sonship is completely unique. The Church understands the Son to proceed eternally from the Father, who is the origin in the Godhead, though the two Persons are equal in divinity.

When Jesus prays, he converses with his Father. In his High Priestly Prayer, he prayed,

“Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me” (John 17:25).

When he raised Lazarus, “Jesus raised his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me’” (John 11:41-42).

The term abba is well-known, even though it is only found once in the Gospels. It is an Aramaic term Jesus used to express particular affection and intimacy with his Father. It is recorded on the lips of Jesus only at his agony in the garden, where he prayed,

“Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” (Mark 14:36).

Typically the Gospels, written in Greek, use the standard Greek word for father—pater. But Jesus’ original use of abba certainly made an impact on the early Christian consciousness since it was carried over twice in the epistles, also as “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).

When the disciples asked Jesus for advice in prayer, he instructed them to address God as “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Here Jesus, the natural and eternal Son, shares his Father with us, the Father’s adopted children. Thus in the Liturgy, the Lord’s Prayer is introduced by these words: “At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say: Our Father …” As the Catechism teaches, we only address God as our Father; only Jesus may address God as my Father (no. 443). For this reason, St. Paul writes, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Romans 8:15).

In the Spirit
As St. Paul writes above, it is only in the Spirit that we may cry, “Abba, Father!” He continues, “In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will” (Romans 8:26-27). This is what Jesus meant when he said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:15-18).

Jesus promised to come to the disciples in the Holy Spirit (for more on this subject see my article “Why Jesus Had to Ascend to Heaven”). The Holy Spirit would remain with the disciples, intercede for them, convict them of sin, remind them of Jesus’ teachings, comfort them, and help them grow in his ways. Jesus said to his disciples,

“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming” (John 16:13).

Further, the Holy Spirit would absolve them of sin, utilizing the ministry of the Church. Thus, the risen Christ breathed on the apostles and said, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:22-23). The Holy Spirit would also be the force propelling them to salvation. As St. Paul writes, “If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

Jesus commanded that his disciples baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Reading the Old Testament in light of Jesus’ revelation of the Holy Spirit, Christians see the Holy Spirit as at work in the act of creation (Genesis 1:2) as well as in providence. Given the divine powers of the Holy Spirit, the Church believes in the full divinity of the Holy Spirit. Further, we understand the Holy Spirit’s mission in time (i.e. sent by the Father and the Son) to be reflective of his eternal procession within the Godhead. Thus the Western Church proclaims that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Defined by the Church
As Christians, we have learned to read Scriptures relating to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in light of the doctrine of the Trinity. This is an example of reading Scripture according to the analogy of faith (Catechism, no. 114). The early Christians understood the Trinity intuitively by faith, but they were not yet able to plainly articulate it. They could, however, sense heresy when something was awry in an interpretation. Out of controversies and debates and aided by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church came over the course of several centuries to the full doctrine of the Trinity. Along the way, the Church even developed the term person as we use it today to speak of an individual of a rational nature. The doctrine of the Trinity states that there is one God, three distinct equal divine Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jesus told his disciples, “Everything that the Father has is mine” (John 16:15). Thus at the Council of Nicea in 325, the bishops defined that the Son is consubstantial with the Father. The bishops professed belief “in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.” The bishops at Nicea were satisfied to simply profess belief “in the Holy Spirit” until heretics took advantage of the lack of definition to falsely teach that the Holy Spirit is a creature. Thus the First Council of Constantinople in 381 further professed belief “in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.”

The Trinity gives expression to the revolutionary statement from the First Letter of John—“God is love.” There we read, “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit permeate that chapter, lending us the interpretation that God is love because God is Trinity. The mutual love of the Father and the Son eternally bring forth the Holy Spirit; by God’s wise and loving decision, he shared this goodness with creatures.

Love in God is an eternal relationship into which he draws us. For Jesus in the Gospels, the Trinity is a relationship of unspeakable love. Thus, far beyond a mere formula, the Trinity is one of the most fundamental beliefs of the Church and is the mysterious reason that stands behind the countless loving works of God. with the poor being served as if they were at a restaurant – probably a common experience for many people but not so common for the poor. How we do things is important. Can we look at what we do, can we tweak it in such a way that dignity is acknowledged and therefore friendship is possible? It may take a little more effort, a little more creativity on our part to “structure in” for the possibility for friendship but this little bit extra does set a truly important tone and perspective.

Michael J. Ruszala is the author of several religious books, including Lives of the Saints: Volume I and Who Created God? A Teacher’s Guidebook for Answering Children’s Tough Questions about God. He holds a master of arts degree in theology & Christian ministry from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has served for a number of years as a parish director of religious education, parish music director in the Diocese of Buffalo, and adjunct lecturer in religious studies at Niagara University in Lewiston, NY. For more information about Michael and his books, visit michaeljruszala.com.

Prayer and Work

This past July 11th, as every year, the Church celebrated the memory of St. Benedict, the man who is called the “father of western monasticism” and from whom the Benedictine Order takes its name. Benedict was born in 480 and lived in central Italy. As a young man, Benedict was sent to Rome to study. While there, he became disillusioned with Roman life, abandoned his studies, and left the city to find peace away from it, eventually becoming a hermit in Subiaco. It was there that Benedict wrote his famous Rule which has been the guiding force of Benedictine life, and reference for religious life in general, for 1500 years. 

At the heart of the Benedictine life is the rhythm of prayer and work, in Latin ora et labora. A balance between contemplation and activity is key to balance in the Benedictine way of life. In reading the Rule, it may appear that work takes more time than prayer, but ultimately prayer should permeate every aspect of the monk or nun’s life, work included. The Rule’s prologue begins with listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is the advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice. The monk or nun’s life is all about listening, about making sure that one can hear the voice of God over the voices of the world. 

This Sunday’s Gospel tells us of the welcome that Jesus received from his friends Martha and Mary. Martha is dutiful in her responsibilities towards hospitality, but she becomes lost in her efforts, and is angered by her sister Mary who has chosen to sit and listen to the Lord. Martha attempts to win the Lord’s backing to rebuke Mary but it is Martha who finds herself gently corrected by Jesus. In his response to Martha, Jesus does not dismiss her efforts nor downplay the importance of hospitality, but invites her, like Mary, to see what is most important, in this case it is the Lord, who simply wants to be with the two sisters. 

All of us have things going on in our lives, some of which are very important. As disciples we must be sure, in things large or small, that we do not become distracted from the Lord. The monk or nun goes about their work with God before their eyes as they complete their labors, but mastering that awareness takes time and discipline for anyone; even the most “experienced” monastic takes time from the their labors to sit at the Lord’s feet. In going about our daily living, we must keep the Lord before our eyes in all things; learning how to do this takes time at his feet to listen. Excelling in our discipleship will only be possible, and sustained, through taking the time to be with the Lord, to listen, to love, and to be loved. 

Martha’s labors were important but she lost sight of why, or rather for whom, she was doing them. Each day, as we go about our living, as we are faced with choices and decisions, may everything be for the Lord. For us to have the grace to make those choices for him, we must first to take time with him.

Reflection on the Readings

Reflection on the Readings: July 29, 2018

II Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15

 Today’s Gospel reading is familiar to most of us; it is one of only a few miracles narrated in all four Gospels; it is the only one narrated with similar details. Today is also a departure for this year’s liturgical cycle; the last few weeks have brought us the first part of Chapter 6 in Mark’s Gospel, and Mark’s version of the feeding of the 5,000 would have followed.  However, in this cycle, we jump into John’s Gospel; over the next few Sundays, we will go through the entire sixth chapter of John, reflecting on Jesus’ discourse on the Bread of Life.

Several thoughts can be drawn from today’s Gospel text; I would like to focus on one of John’s major themes – abundance.

Just as in the miracle of the wedding at Cana, today’s Gospel shows us a clear contrast of before and after – before Jesus acts, and after Jesus acts. There is a contrast between a state of emptiness, a state of chaos, and a state of abundance and order.  At Cana, there was emptiness – no wine, six empty water jars, and a celebration that could potentially have drawn to a standstill.  When Jesus acts, and his hour dawns, the jars were filled to the brim with the choicest of wines, and joy and celebration continued.

Today’s story begins with the crowd following Jesus and the disciples to a deserted place. A practical problem begins to unfold:  How are we going to feed all these people?  Philip is focused purely on the problem and the lack of money.  Where can we buy enough bread?  It will take 200 days wages at a minimum.  Philip suffers from a scarcity mentality, as do many of us.  He thinks the only solution is money.  This may be a realistic approach, but Philip misses just what Jesus’ question was.  Not “How much will it cost?”, but “Where will we get enough?”  Philip is focused on problem, impossibility, and scarcity; he is unable to focus on the possibilities in and with the presence of Jesus.

We also should appreciate the initiative of Andrew in bringing people to Jesus; he brought his brother Simon; he and Philip brought the Greeks; and today, we read of him bringing a little boy with food. But, even as he brings the young boy, he too is questioning.  What good are these for so many?

It is here that Jesus begins to act. He wants the disciples to understand he will not be bogged down by seeming impossibilities.  He takes the five loaves and two fish (a perfect total, with seven being the number of perfection and completeness) and provides for all.  There is abundance in what God provides.

The theme of abundance continues. We hear that not only had everyone present eaten enough, but there was enough left over to fill 12 large baskets.  What a contrast to the questions and imagery from Philip and Andrew from earlier in the day!

Are we ready to be satisfied by the loving abundance of God? Are we ready to abandon fears of scarcity and look instead toward the fullness of God’s grace and mercy?  How then are we to live in accordance with this Good News?

I would ask you to think about three things:

1) The Lord provides in abundance;

2) Introduce others to Jesus and watch what happens; and

3) Offer what you have, and be amazed at what the Lord can do with it.

The Lord provides in abundance. In the first reading today, the story of Elisha, we hear the Lord say, “They will eat and have some left over.”  In the Gospel, we hear of the abundance remaining after all had been satisfied.  For us, this means trusting that the Lord knows what we need and will provide for us, not just the minimum, but in abundance.  It may be food; it may be friends; it may be spiritual support.  As followers of Christ, we are not promised an easy life in this world; likewise, we do not pray for abundance of wealth, but for what is needed to bring about the kingdom of God in our lives and the lives of others.  When we do the work of the Lord, he will support us; he will give us the gifts to do that work, and he will give them in abundance.

Second, introducing others to Jesus. Andrew has to be a favorite disciple for many because he is always introducing people to Jesus.  Why did he bring the young boy with the food to Jesus?  Would everyone else laugh at him for even thinking this child could help?  Or did he think that Jesus would turn that small meal into enough for everyone?  Probably not, but he took that risk.  And look at what happened.

Renaissance Fresco depicting Jesus calling of Saint Peter and Andrew, in the Collegiata of San Gimignano, Italy.

It is because of people like Andrew that I was able to find a faith in Christ; it can be because of people like you that others will find that way. I hear multiple stories from people attending the Alpha gatherings of how they are discovering new ways to look at not only Christ, but at his Church, at the community, and at the love that is our God.  We all should be thankful that we have so many Andrews reaching out from our simple community to those who are searching for a source of life and love.

Finally, offer what you have. Did the boy say, “No, this is mine and I’m not sharing.  Get your own!”?  No, he gave from what he had, and Jesus gave it back five thousand fold and more.

Charity is one of the great pillars of our faith. Watch what happens when you give without question when God asks you to give, be it your time, your skills, your treasure, or simply of yourself.  Trust in God that he will take your gift and do great and wonderful things with it.

As we come forward to receive from the abundant love of God the gift of him who gave his entire self for our salvation, think about what you can do in the days to come to live your faith, to give a little, and to rejoice in the abundance of good things given to us by our Lord. And when you go forth after Mass, remember to share your faith in him who provides abundance, to invite others to share in that abundance, and pray that we may each become the stewards and disciples we are called to be.  The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

 

 

 

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Liturgy

Sunday Masses (unless noted differently in weekly bulletin)
Saturday Evening Vigil – 4:00PM
Sunday – 7:00AM, 10:00AM and 5:00PM

Weekday Masses (unless noted differently in weekly bulletin)
Monday thru Friday – 7:00AM and 5:15PM
Saturday – 8:00AM

Reconciliation (Confessions)
Monday thru Friday – 4:15PM to 5:00PM

Saturday – 9:00AM to 10:00AM and 2:30PM to 3:30PM

Sunday – 4:00PM to 4:45PM

 

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Springfield, Illinois 62703

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(217) 522-3342

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