The Gospel according to John 6: 60-69 (Part 1)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s Mass challenges us to acknowledge the reality of Jesus in the Eucharist, to know that he has the words of everlasting life and to live those words in our daily life of home, work, office, school and recreation.

As we call to mind our sins, let us ask that we will be gifted with strong witness to him.

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the conclusion of his discourse on the Eucharist, Jesus reminds us of the contrast between the weakness of the flesh and the life-giving activity of the Spirit. Each of us in Confirmation has been give the Spirit of God so that we will know that God is with us and in us at every moment. Because some of the people refused to believe in the reality of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist, they did not walk with him.

We, however, are challenged to go beyond an immediate human reality and beyond the demands of logic which are fulfilled to an even deeper awareness of God. Because God has told us that he is present, then we know the wonderful things that he has done and that what he says is true and we too can answer, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life.’

I believe it is important for us to remember the purpose of our parish. It is simply this: to bring us closer to God and to lead us in worshipping him, in knowing about him and in reaching out on his behalf to other parishioners and to those in the community.

1. Our parish is a place of holiness. The high point of our search is of course in the Mass, where we are united with Jesus Christ in his gift of himself to the Father at the Last Supper and on the cross, and it is the same risen Christ whom we receive in Holy Communion. The Sacraments are meant to nourish our spiritual life as we make our journey.

We are invited to reflect on God’s living Word, which provides Christ in action for our daily lives.

I urge you not to neglect the complement of the sacrifice of the Mass, namely prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen described adoration of the Eucharist as the radioactive cobalt that burns out the cancer of sin and Saint John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, reminded us that in prayer God and our soul are like two pieces of wax; they are warmed by mutual love and become one. In these busy days it is vital for us to stop and ponder and make personal the great acts of love we perform in the Mass.

Similarly important is devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. Because she is a good Mother, through her Rosary and other forms of prayer she leads us to know Jesus her Son in a personal, loving manner, so that our religion involves our whole person.

2. Our parish is meant to teach us the faith. This is most obvious in the wonderful work of our school and in the instruction of converts. However, it is also important for each of us to be challenged to reflect upon our faith, through talks, group work and other activities, to deepen and nourish the faith that is given us at Baptism. Reflecting on our faith is like gardening. Plants die without water and nourishment. So too our love of God needs to be nourished by prayer and reflection on the faith.

3. Our parish is meant to be the instrument of God’s love and care for people. The social works undertaken for others, the efforts to draw people together, are important in helping us realise that, as a community of believers in Jesus Christ, we can support each other in a human as well as a spiritual way and so be an effective witness to Jesus Christ in the community.

Jesus challenges us because he is our Way and Truth and Life to continue our journey to the Father.

The purpose of our prayer is above all the worship of God who made us and who sustains us with care in his hands. Today, on this Lord’s day, we thank him for all that he continues to give. May his name be praised and loved here in this church and in this parish and beyond.

Cardinal John Henry Newman said, “I have ever tried to leave my cause in the hands of God and to be patient – and he has not forgotten me.” (Letters and Diaries, Volume 29, Page 72).

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.