June 22. Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Fr Fidelis took a very serious line.  He began, “This is one of the most important feasts in the Church because it teaches us about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist in the bread and the wine.  I ask you whether you really do believe that as Catholics, or whether it is something you don’t really think about but just take for granted?  As a priest it is something that challenges me too.  It helps me to remind myself that God is also present in the sacramental love relationship of marriage, as some couples really cherish and which we should reverence much more than we do, as we should too with parental relationships.   In fact God is present everywhere in Creation too, in so many different ways and appearances. This month is Youth month and we also celebrated Father’s Day so now I especially call on fathers to value and worship Jesus in the Eucharist and grow in his love. Teach your children and do not desecrate it by unbecoming behaviour.  Did you know that to strengthen people’s faith there have been recognised miracles of the bread and wine physically being changed in appearance to human flesh and blood? That is confirming what the Catholic Church has taught for the last 2,000 years; echoing the words of Christ,  So to each family member I invite you to think about, worship and thank Jesus for this gift of his love to us, the Church.”   

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:    My Flesh is real food; my Blood real drink.  Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood dwells continually in Me and I dwell in him.” John 6:56-57.   Pope Francis: Jesus knocks on the door of families to share in the Eucharistic supper. It is the sacrament of the new covenant where Christ’s redemptive work is carried out.  The close bond between married life and the Eucharist becomes all the more clear.  AL318.  God himself became man and gave himself as food for his creatures. The Eucharist joins heaven and earth; it embraces and penetrates all creation.  The world which came forth from God’s hands returns to him in blessed and undivided adoration. LS 236.  JUBILEE. Saint Paul VI made the following observation. “There can be no doubt that pastoral commitment and missionary zeal will fan into flame, if priests and laity alike, in their desire to spread the glory of God, contemplate the example of eternal love that Christ has shown us, and direct their efforts to make all men and women sharers in the unfathomable riches of Christ”. DN 205. Act and pray. For the needs of families and children as appropriate.