August 8, 2021 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August13,2021
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
John 6:48 proclaims the very words of Our Lord Jesus Christ: “I am the bread of Life.” These words continue to console us and strengthen us in our Christian lives. To the Lord we turn with fullest confidence that He will nourish our lives that we may face what confronts us day by day. Though we may experience many attacks on our spiritual well being and health, we know that if we are fed by Him we will flourish and grow stronger in grace. He lives in me. I know He there abides. In addition, the food He provides will bring us to eternal life. For if we live in Christ, we are reborn in Him, we are in the state of grace in this world; come what may, we have His solemn guarantee that we will be with Him forever in heaven after the death of our bodies. How foolish we can be to be just concerned about an earthly life that will pass away, when what is most important is our eternal life. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his immortal soul? How does my present life appear in the light of eternity, we should constantly ask ourselves, as did the saints? That is the measure we use.
Recently, beginning on Sunday, June 27, Archbishop Cordileone re-instated in the Archdiocese the obligation for all Catholics, as a grave and serious matter, to assist at Holy Mass on all Sundays and holydays of obligation. Those who hold the position that there is no serious obligation to assist at Mass on Sundays and holydays are wrong. The Church through its official catechism, the code of canon law, and the teachings of the popes has reaffirmed the traditional position for the good of our souls and for the good of the Catholic community of faith. Of course, the infirm elderly, the sick, and those who must care for them are not under obligation. Our assistance at Holy Mass unites us in the communion of the saints both living and deceased. It is the least we can do considering all that the Lord does for us. He suffered and died on the Cross to give us the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Love calls out for love!
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fr. Mark G. Mazza My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
John 6:48 proclaims the very words of Our Lord Jesus Christ: “I am the bread of Life.” These words continue to console us and strengthen us in our Christian lives. To the Lord we turn with fullest confidence that He will nourish our lives that we may face what confronts us day by day. Though we may experience many attacks on our spiritual well being and health, we know that if we are fed by Him we will flourish and grow stronger in grace. He lives in me. I know He there abides. In addition, the food He provides will bring us to eternal life. For if we live in Christ, we are reborn in Him, we are in the state of grace in this world; come what may, we have His solemn guarantee that we will be with Him forever in heaven after the death of our bodies. How foolish we can be to be just concerned about an earthly life that will pass away, when what is most important is our eternal life. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his immortal soul? How does my present life appear in the light of eternity, we should constantly ask ourselves, as did the saints? That is the measure we use.
Recently, beginning on Sunday, June 27, Archbishop Cordileone re-instated in the Archdiocese the obligation for all Catholics, as a grave and serious matter, to assist at Holy Mass on all Sundays and holydays of obligation. Those who hold the position that there is no serious obligation to assist at Mass on Sundays and holydays are wrong. The Church through its official catechism, the code of canon law, and the teachings of the popes has reaffirmed the traditional position for the good of our souls and for the good of the Catholic community of faith. Of course, the infirm elderly, the sick, and those who must care for them are not under obligation. Our assistance at Holy Mass unites us in the communion of the saints both living and deceased. It is the least we can do considering all that the Lord does for us. He suffered and died on the Cross to give us the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Love calls out for love!
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fr. Mark G. Mazza