In the depression years of the 1930’s millions of Americans were out of work and many thousands were hungry. In a number of cities religious groups set up bread-lines to feed the hungry. One of these was the Franciscan Monastery, 1615 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Every day a generous, nourishing sandwich of bread and meat was given to hundreds of men and women, who lined up long before the distributing hour, 5 pm. All day two Franciscan brothers and several lay helpers made up the sandwiches and wrapped them.
It was interesting to watch those hungry people receiving this little meal. Many accepted it with a smile and a thank you. Others, with head hanging, snatched the little package and shuffled off. Some tore the bag open at once and started eating as they hurried away. Some sat on a curb nearby while others took their gift around the corner to an alley. A few, just a few, opened the package and then throw the entire contents away; while some, not many, ate the meat and throw away the bread. Most of them ate every last crumb, while several would eat part and discard the rest. Some re-wrapped and saved a part of it. Many were neat; they dropped the wrapping into a nearby container.
Others were litterbugs. Occasionally one or the other made the sign of the cross. The way those hungry unfortunates reacted to that little lunch is a lot like the way His listeners received the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven, if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world.” In Christ’s days and in our time some crumble, “It’s impossible, He can’t give us His flesh to eat and His blood to drink.” They forget that Jesus is GOD. Others accept His bread but their faith is weak. Still others say they believe but their faith is weak. Still other say they believe but their actions deny it. They don’t receive as often as they could.
Can you imagine a hungry man in Cincinnati being too lazy to go and get a sandwich–free? Some Catholic Christians receive Holy Communion worthily and with heartfelt gratitude. Others think that they are doing a favor to Christ or to his priest. A number get very little nourishment from Communion because they bring to the altar a thoughtless and careless preparation. Thank God, most Catholics realize that the sacred Food we receive here at this altar will keep us spiritually alive and healthy. All human beings are hungry for Christ, even if they have never heard of Him. Many are actually starving for Christ, but they do not know WHAT or WHO will satisfy their hunger. Christ has set a bread-line, the COMMUNION LINE, to give us, yes, to give every one of us, FOOD, HIMSELF, to strengthen us, and help us live forever.
#55. AN ANECDOTE ON THE SECRET OF HOLY COMMUNION: Everyday, a great King who is famous for his generosity, receives countless visitors asking for a favor. It happened one day that a beggar approached the King and begged just for a morsel of bread. Being so generous, the King gave him a cart-full of flour, butter, sugar, and milk so that the beggar can bake his bread and have a steady supply of food. In the same way, when we receive Holy Communion worthily physically and spiritually well prepared in the Mass, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings will give us millions of graces to attain ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM.
In this 19th week of OT, on the 14th we have the memorials of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan martyr and the Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney, Founder of the Knights of Columbus with almost two million member families in the world, will be celebrated in the morning. In the evening we have the Vigil Mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 6PM. On the 15th, the Solemn Mass of Assumption will be at 8 AM. This is a Holy Day of Obligation this year 2018. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin. God Bless!
Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,
Fr. Reggie