WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD

XXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 16:13-20

This Sunday’s gospel presents two themes that seem unrelated but are, in fact, deeply connected: the profession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, essential to the existence of the Church, and the leadership of the Church entrusted to Peter.

Jesus Christ and the proclamation of his Gospel are the sole reason the Church exists. Without Christ, there is no Church. He is the foundation, the cornerstone, the centre and the apex of the Church. Without Christ, the Church would be no more than a human enterprise or simply an NGO that cares for the people’s well-being. The Church is the assembly, the family and the body of those who believe in Jesus, that is, those who, answering Jesus’ call, have established a deep relationship with him. For them, life is meaningless without Jesus. The believers in Jesus are those who came to the same conclusion as Simon Peter, thus being able to give the same answer to Jesus’ personal question: Who do you say I am? There are many different answers about Jesus: the man from Nazareth, the carpenter, the son of Mary, the preacher, the prophet, a man of wisdom who ended up on the cross. For some, he is a false prophet who misled people and a blasphemer who deserved to die. Jesus was aware of the different opinions people held about him; that is why he asked a direct question to the apostles: And you, who do you say I am? Peter gave the answer that has been the disciples’ answer throughout centuries: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Today, two thousand years later, we repeat the same profession of faith, and we proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The second part of the gospel speaks of leadership in the Church. The leadership is needed to uphold this essential profession of faith. Upon his profession of faith, Simon was called to guide the Church and to lead and protect her. He is the rock upon which the Church is built. When we reject this rock, the Church shakes and moves forward in deep and dangerous waters. He was given the keys; that is, the power to lock and unlock, to decide and to rule. The ministry entrusted to him is for the service of the Church. He is called to be the shepherd of the flock, leading it to green pastures and refreshing waters: “Feed my sheep.” (Jn 21:17)

Let us reaffirm our faith and renew our commitment as disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us pray as well for the Pope, who is entrusted with Peter’s ministry, that he may be a good shepherd, giving his life in the service of the sheep.

MY SOUL PROCLAIMS THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - Luke 1:39-56

As we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may ask ourselves what it is all about. In simple terms, we celebrate that in Mary, what all of us wait for - salvation- has been completed; thus, as a whole person - body and soul - she shares in the glory of God. Body and soul, she was taken to God, contemplating him face to face and being filled with him to the full. And she is overflowed with the glory of God. The Virgin Mother shares in the glory of her son, that is, Jesus Christ's resurrection. Recognising Mary as the mother of the Lord, Elizabeth pronounced Mary “the most blessed” of all women. And Mary herself, giving thanks and praise to God, acknowledges the great mercies done to her: “Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me.” Near the cross, Mary shared in her son’s passion; taken to heaven, she shares in his resurrection. And we are travelling along the same path: we hope for the time when we will be raised to life, and our bodies will be like the glorious body of the risen Lord.

Painting by Fr. Pedro Chey Dianingama

In the first reading, taken from Revelation 12, a great sign appeared in heaven: “a woman, adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head for a crown.” This vision refers to the people of God and to the Virgin Mary as well, who is the model and prototype of the people of the New Covenant. The sun’s intense light shines through, revealing her dignity as the pregnant mother of the Messiah who comes “to rule all the nations with an iron sceptre”. She is crowned with twelve stars that represent the whole people of God. Then, intertwined with this vision, John presents the vision of the dragon: “a huge red dragon which had seven heads and ten horns, and each of the seven heads crowned with a coronet.” The dragon stands for the power of evil, which brings in chaos, destruction and death. He initiates a war against the Messiah, whom he fails to defeat, and then he takes revenge on the woman and all her other children. The theme of the war between the woman and her descendants appears at the beginning of Genesis: 

“I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and her offspring;

he shall bruise your head,

and you shall bruise his heel.” - Gn 3:15

The war still goes on, but today’s solemnity is a celebration of the woman’s victory over the dragon, victory obtained by the King of kings, Jesus Christ. That’s why we sing God’s praise with the Virgin Mary:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

and my spirit exults in God my saviour”.

“IT IS A GHOST” THEY SAID

 XIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 14:22-33

Crossing the lake during the night, “battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind”, the disciples were exhausted and prone to be misled by their imagination. Jesus had remained behind, taking the opportunity to remain alone and pray. So Jesus was not with them, and that filled them with worries. When Jesus approached  them walking on the lake, they got scared and thought the worst. They did not see Jesus, but a ghost, thus being unable to recognise him. Whenever faced with difficult situations, we can easily misread the situation and be induced into error. Instead of recognising Jesus’ divine presence, they reacted as if they were in the presence of the evil one. And Jesus had to say those reassuring and calming words: Do not be afraid. Courage! It is I! Jesus never comes to torment us. Indeed, he is the Prince of peace who brings relief to our souls.

The danger of being misled, confusing God’s presence with utterly different things, mainly those that destroy our peace, dignity and purpose, is a danger always present. In the first reading, we hear about Elijah who went to Horeb, the mountain of God, to have a deep experience of God. He was confronted with various situations that demanded understanding and perspicacity. Throughout generations, many people and many cultural traditions have understood natural phenomena as divine manifestations. Filled with discernment, Elijah was able to recognise that God cannot be confused with wind, earthquake or volcano (fire). He experienced God in a gentle breeze (1 Kings 19:9,11-13) that soothes the soul and brings peace to the heart.

The gospel presents a second part to the narrative of crossing the lake during the night. Peter addressed Jesus, saying: “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.” It seems as if Peter was still doubting that it was really Jesus. He wanted a sign from Jesus. At the same time, he wanted to be like Jesus, doing what Jesus did. And Jesus invited him: Come! Jesus wants us to share in his glory. However, after a while, Peter got afraid, doubted and began to sink. He immediately addressed Jesus with the request that all of us must repeat: “Lord! Save me!”

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

XVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – Romans 8:35, 37-39

In the gospel of John, during the conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus said a sentence that has been repeated time and again by thousands and thousands of people:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:16-17)

The Son of God came to save us, not to condemn and punish. And he revealed God’s love through his death on the cross. As Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Ro 5:8). This bond of love is so strong and deep that, according to Paul, nothing can separate us from Christ’s love. Indeed, nothing “can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord”. In fact, it's the assurance of this love that gives us strength to accept sufferings and persecution for Christ. Nothing and nobody is higher, stronger or more powerful than Jesus Christ. Nothing can take his place. Knowing Paul’s life, we understand that Jesus Christ became the only reason for his tireless work as a witness to Christ’s love and to his Gospel. Since the moment when he was encountered by Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul was seduced by His love, and nothing else made sense for him, so he wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

The first reading, taken from Isaiah, is linked to this Sunday’s gospel and gives witness to the gratuity of God’s love.

“Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty;

though you have no money, come!

Buy corn without money, and eat,

and, at no cost, wine and milk.”

This gracious offer comes with a question addressed to all of us: 

“Why spend money on what is not bread,

your wages on what fails to satisfy?”

And the invitation is renewed:

“Pay attention, come to me;

listen, and your soul will live.” (Is 55:1-3).

The gospel presents Jesus feeding a big crowd of people, showing that he acts moved by compassion and love. He comes to fulfil the promise made in Isaiah, giving us the bread of life. As a pre-announcement of the Eucharist, Jesus did the same gestures that he would do in the Last Supper: He “raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full.” (Mt 14:13-21).

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to ask for our daily bread so that, strengthened by that bread, we may pursue and end our journey to our heavenly dwelling.

GOD TURNS EVERYTHING TO OUR GOOD

XVII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – Romans 8:28-30

In this Sunday’s second reading, taken from the letter to the Romans, Paul tells us that God cooperates with us, turning everything to our good, even our failures and our sufferings. There is a Portuguese proverb that expresses it very well: God writes straight in crooked lines. Most of the time, our life is full of twisted lines, so twisted that there is no way out. However, God is able to guide us through those twisted lines towards something meaningful and fulfilling. In Bemba, there is also a proverb full of insight: “Apatebeta Lesa, tapafuka cushi”, meaning where God prepares a banquet, there is no smoke. God’s work in our favour is hidden from us, and we don’t notice it. Then, when satisfied, we are forced to recognise that that satisfaction was given to us; it did not come from our strength and our ingenuity but from God’s grace.

Paul speaks of God’s purpose and design: we must “become true images of his Son so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers”. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul says that God’s plan is “to unite all things in him (Christ), things in heaven and things on earth” (Ep 1:10). And this is done by uniting us in Christ. And Paul explains that God does that in four steps:

1. He chose long ago.
2. He chose them with a purpose; that’s an intention of having the image of his Son reflected on them.
3. Then, he called them.
4. After this calling, he justified them; that is, he sanctified them.
5. And they are sanctified to share his glory

To make this plan a reality, God cooperates with us, turning everything to our good. Let us put our trust in the Lord. He never deserts us.

GOD ALONE IS GOOD

XVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 13:24-43

With the psalmist, we must proclaim:

“O Lord, you are good and forgiving,

  full of love to all who call.” (Ps 86)

To the rich man who called Jesus “good teacher”, Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Mk 10:18) Indeed, only God is good, completely and perfectly good. And God shows his goodness by caring for everything. The first reading, taken from the book of Wisdom, says exactly that: “There is no god, other than you, who cares for every thing.” His caring goodness reveals his power. God’s power is not oppressive. On the contrary, because He is all-powerful, He can show leniency to all: "Your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all.” Indeed, “disposing of such strength, you are mild in judgement, you govern us with great lenience.” And this is a lesson to us:

“By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men, and you have given your sons the good hope that after sin you will grant repentance.” (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19).

Recognising that God alone is good, we must accept that our goodness is always full of cracks and holes. Our goodness is always tainted by and mixed with evil. That’s why we should not judge and condemn others. It is easier to see the speck in the other’s eye, ignoring the log that is in ours (Mt 7:3). In our self-righteousness, we are ready to condemn others and absolve ourselves of our misdeeds.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of the wheat field that has darnel growing together with it. The workers could not understand where it had come from and were ready to uproot the darnel, thus getting rid of it. The owner of the field refused, explaining to the workers that they would not be able to distinguish the darnel from the wheat. As a result, they would do great damage to the crop, confusing the wheat with the darnel, causing a great loss to the owner of the field.

Throughout the centuries, there have been groups and movements that see all those who do not belong to them as evil people who should be eradicated from society so that we remain with a society of the pure, the just and the righteous. In the end, they commit crimes against those they see as outsiders and non-compliant.

The parable is a warning against this attitude, presenting a completely different solution. The darnel will be separated from the wheat – that is, the evil from the good – at the end of times, and that will be done by the angels, not by human beings judging other human beings. And Jesus ended the parable explanation, saying, 'Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!”

YOU HAVE THE MESSAGE OF ETERNAL LIFE

 XV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 13:1-23

In this time of ours, images seem to take precedence over the word. We learn and transmit ideas and messages through images, and they are present everywhere, being the main media of communication. However, even on social media, images must be accompanied by words to specify the message. In the past, mainly in oral societies, the word was of paramount importance. The word brings into the open my intentions, thus revealing myself. The word facilitates relationships, initiating, strengthening and deepening them. And it may as well weaken them and even destroy them. Not so long ago, a word was enough to assume a commitment, seal a deal and establish an alliance. Nowadays, the word has been cheapened and degraded. In politics, it has become an instrument of deception, used as a ruse to trick the naive. Many politicians never mean what they say. Such devaluation of the word puts at risk international relations, making it impossible to work for peace.

On this Sunday, we are invited to reflect on the Word of God, through which He reveals his plan of salvation, showing forth his mercy and his love. Through His word, He calls us, inviting us to a relationship of love that brings fulfilment to our lives and our world.

In the first reading, through the prophet Isaiah, God compares His word to the rain and the snow that always water the soil and prepare it for the grain which will bring in the harvest.

"The word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do” (Is 55:10-11). 

In the gospel, through the parable of the sower, Jesus deals with three realities or intervenients: the sower, the seed and the soil upon which the seed falls. The sower is Jesus Himself, who proclaims the Gospel, calling people to the Kingdom of God. There could be no better sower. And there is no better seed as well since the seed is the word of God being proclaimed. Then, the final result depends on the quality of the soil, that is, on the hearts of the listeners. We may ignore and despise the word or we may lack the commitment and the resolve to accept the word and allow it to transform our lives. The word always implies a proclamation of the Kingdom of God and a call to repentance and conversion. The word confronts and challenges us while at the same time putting forward the path to life, a life that is only possible in a deep relationship of love with God.

With all the good listeners of the word of God,

with Samuel’s attitude, let us say:

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:

you have the message of eternal life.

COME TO ME AND FIND REST

 XIV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 11:25-30

We live in distressful times with fear and anxiety, uncertain about the future. As the years pass, we become more and more aware that the great technological advances which have become a source of pride are putting in risk our lives and our humanity. We boast about the AI that thinks for us and does the work for us, making us redundant. A machine reasons and decides for us, and we lose the capacity to think. The new generations are becoming more and more ignorant. Thus, we must ask ourselves: What is there in reserve for us? Are we in danger of becoming the servants of AI and of those who own and manipulate it?

Looking around, seeing leaders that constantly prepare for war instead of searching for paths of peace, the future looks very bleak. With all this, our hearts may be filled with pessimism, leading us to question the purpose and meaning of our lives here on earth. It is to us that the words of the prophet Zechariah are addressed. We must not lose hope, because the Lord comes to us:

Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion!

Shout with gladness, daughter of Jerusalem!

See now, your king comes to you;

he is victorious, he is triumphant.

We have reasons to rejoice and be glad because the Lord has not deserted us. He is in charge, and he will lead by ways of peace. Indeed, he comes as Prince of Peace, and “He will proclaim peace for the nations.” He comes to reveal to the nations the Father’s plan of salvation. He is the way to the Father. It is not possible to know God as the Father unless Jesus, the Son, reveals Him to us. The Father has put everything in Jesus’ hands so that in Jesus we find the truth and the life. However, the proud and the self-centred will not be able to access it since he reveals “them to mere children”, that is, to the humble who recognise their smallness and poverty. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” To enter the Kingdom of God, we must be like little children who put their trust in their parents.

By revealing to us the Father’s love, Jesus brings peace to our hearts. And he calls us:

“Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.”

That’s why our hearts are filled with hope. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we find rest, and our hearts remain at peace.

CONSIDER YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD TO SIN

 XIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Romans 6:3-4, 8-11

In this Sunday’s second reading, St Paul invites us to reflect upon baptism and the mystery of salvation into which we are called to enter through baptism. We should not forget that the true disciple of Jesus Christ must receive baptism. Some question the necessity of baptism for salvation, affirming that we are justified by faith alone and saved by grace. However, what right do we have to ignore Jesus’ instructions to his disciples, ordering them to baptise those who believe in Him (Mt 28:19)? To Nicodemus, Jesus said that to enter the Kingdom of God, we must be “born of water and the Spirit” (Jn 3:5).

The baptism is a ritual bath or a ritual washing that connects us with Christ, done during an act of worship. The baptism is a gift bestowed on us by God through the Church. It clearly shows that salvation is not something that we conquer or earn through our effort, power or wealth.

We were baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, meaning that we were accepted into God’s communion through the union with Jesus Christ. In the baptism, we celebrate God’s plan of salvation, realising that He calls us to be part of that plan. And God’s plan is revealed in Jesus Christ as a plan that comes from his great love.

Long before the coming of Jesus, the Psalmist had already recognised that God’s commitment to his people was a fruit of his love:

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;

through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.

Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,

that your truth is firmly established as the heavens. (Psalm 89).

In baptism, we profess our faith in Jesus, proclaiming that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. In baptism, we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, who grafts us into Christ, becoming one with Him, thus being children of God through Him. In baptism, we enter into a special relationship with Christ and, according to Paul in his letter to the Romans, we enter into the mystery of his death and resurrection. We die with Christ to rise with Him. In the baptism, the blood of Christ cleanses us from our sin, thus reconciling us with God, who accepts us as his beloved children.

In baptism, we commit ourselves to Christ, making Him the only reason for our living. He is the foundation upon which our lives may be built and gain a purpose. He is the summit and the peak that calls us to always reach for the heights. Choosing him is better than living because he is the true life. Indeed, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

DECLARING OURSELVES FOR CHRIST

XII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Romans 5:12-15

In his letter to the Romans, Paul puts side by side Adam, the first man, and Christ, the new Adam. Adam represents the old humanity enslaved by sin who have chosen to disobey God and rebel against Him. Full of pride, they refuse to recognise their dependence on Him and affirm themselves as being self-sufficient and independent. In shame, they try to distort and destroy God’s image in them. Jesus Christ is the New Adam. From Him, it comes a new humanity that affirms itself in humility and obedience to God. It is a humanity that reveals the image of God and His glory. The “divine grace, coming through the one man, Jesus Christ, came to so many as an abundant free gift.” Whenever we follow Adam’s path, we find chaos, self-destruction and death. However, if we choose to be disciples of Jesus Christ and follow his footsteps, we find peace and life, enjoying them to the full. Having Adam as a role model, we live in darkness and submit to the power of evil. By choosing Christ’s way, we become children of the light, are set free and are granted a claim to the Kingdom of God.

There is a constant struggle between light and darkness, which tries by all means to overcome light. This struggle takes place in our hearts and in the world at large. If we were not strengthened by hope and by the guarantee of God’s faithfulness, we would fall into despair. Those who revel in darkness make it their duty to persecute and destroy Jesus’ disciples so that his light may not shine over the world.

In the first reading, we find Jeremiah, whose life was in itself a prophecy. He was rejected and persecuted for being faithful and truthful to God’s calling. Even his friends turned against him. He complains but does not despair. He entrusts his cause to the Lord, being sure that the Lord delivers “the soul of the needy from the hands of evil men” (Jeremiah 20:10-13). With the Psalmist, we pray, "In your great love, answer me, O Lord.”

Jesus fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy, being rejected, tortured and crucified as a criminal among other criminals. Like Jeremiah, Jesus entrusted his cause to the Lord, remaining faithful to the end. Jesus’ way passes through suffering and death towards glorification. By his resurrection, Jesus is established as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Before Him, every tongue has to confess that He is the Lord.

Jesus calls his disciples to follow after Him through the way of the cross, enduring rejection and suffering and remaining faithful to the end. With reassuring words, Jesus tells us: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” We are in God’s hands, and He will never desert us. As for us, it is our duty to remain faithful at all times and in all places.

“So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.” (Mt 10:26-33).

A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS

XI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Exodus 19:2-6

When they reached the wilderness of Sinai, the sons of Israel “pitched their camp; there facing the mountain Israel pitched camp.” Then, Moses went up the mountain, answering the Lord’s call, and God declared this to the people of Israel: “I will count you a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation.”

All the peoples of the earth belong to God, but he specially chose Israel to hear his word, know his will and give thanks and praise to him. The people of Israel should stand for all humanity, establishing a bridge to God and serving the Lord in worship. They were not chosen for their greatness, their wealth or their cleverness. On the contrary, they were chosen for being one of the smallest and weakest among the nations. They were chosen so that the glory and the sanctity of God may be revealed in them. And God sealed this special relationship with Israel with a covenant that shows His commitment and confirms His promise of redemption. From the people, God demands faithfulness to the covenant: you must “obey my voice and hold fast to my covenant”.

We know that, time and again, the people of Israel were unfaithful to the covenant, doing their own will and pursuing their own ways, thus turning their backs to God and rebelling against Him. However, God kept his promise, preparing the coming of the Messiah and establishing in Christ the new covenant, a covenant open to all peoples of the world.

The Psalmist invites us to recognise and proclaim that we belong to him. 

We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Know that he, the Lord, is God.

  He made us, we belong to him,

  we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

(Psalm 100)

In the gospel, we can see Jesus facing the people and becoming aware of the dire situation they were in. “When Jesus saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” These words may be applied to our generation as well. We feel lost and hopeless. It brings to my mind the words of Jeremiah: "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jer 2:13). All of this because there are very few shepherds, and many of them are not good shepherds. We must pray incessantly to “the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.” And Jesus decided to initiate the Apostles in this work, sending them to proclaim the Good News: "The kingdom of heaven is close at hand.” (Mt 9:36-10:8), We must proclaim everywhere and to everybody that God’s Kingdom is within reach. God is calling; let us hear his voice and answer his invitation.

COMMUNION WITH THE BODY OF CHRIST

SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI – Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

In the calendar of the Universal Church, the solemnity of Corpus Christi is celebrated on the Thursday after the Holy Trinity. However, the celebration is done on the following Sunday in the countries where that Thursday is a working day. There should be no need for a special celebration of the Eucharist since it is celebrated every Sunday, but, in her wisdom, aware that we are carried by habit, Mother Church gives us this liturgical celebration for us to focus on some essential themes.

The first reading, taken from the book of Deuteronomy, presents the manna as pointing to the Eucharist as the true bread from heaven. Like the manna received by the people in their wandering in the desert, the Eucharist is the true viaticum, that is, the bread for the journey. We must be fed with this bread to become strong enough to proceed and reach the finishing line. Due to our weakness, we fall and go astray. On our own, we will never arrive unless we are fed with this special food.

In the gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that they will not have eternal life and enter the Kingdom of God without eating this food. And the reason for that is that, by eating this food, we enter into a special bond with Jesus, receiving life from Him as He receives from the Father. A true communion is established between Jesus and us and, through Jesus, with the Father.

Jesus makes it very clear that the food He gives us is his body and his blood. “I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day.” Indeed, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I live in him.” (Jn 6;51-58)

In the second reading, taken from the First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul echoes Jesus’ words by telling us that, in the celebration of the Eucharist, we enter into communion with the blood and the body of Christ. This was the belief of the early Church and is still our belief today. We cannot approach the table of the Lord without a strong belief that we receive the body and blood of Christ to become one with Him. “The fact that there is only one loaf means that, though there are many of us, we form a single body because we all have a share in this one loaf.” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

LET MY LORD COME WITH US

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY - Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9

Before the mystery of God, who reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we remain puzzled and in awe, as we contemplate the One who is beyond understanding. However, He would not be God if we could understand Him. He is so much higher and greater than us that He remains always beyond us while, at the same time, being in us. We believe in one God, being part of the religions that belong to the Abrahamic tradition.  Despite that belief, we are treated, mainly by the Muslims, as being polytheistic due to our belief in one God who reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They accuse us of associating others with God. Indeed, our conception of God is miles apart from the Islamic God. Allah reveals himself as the Almighty and most powerful. He is the master of everything, and the only possible attitude before Him is that of a slave. We cannot ask or question Him, and total submission is the only acceptable attitude. Allah is a lonely God who revealed himself through an angel and never spoke to man or entered into a relationship with him. Yahweh, on the other side, is Love, who shares that love with us and establishes a relationship with us. Throughout the Holy Scriptures, Yahweh reveals himself entering into a dialogue and establishing a partnership with man. That is what we celebrate today. We can address Him, putting our grievances and our questions to Him, entrusting ourselves to His mercy and His love. Before Him, we can dream of the heights, filling our hearts with hope, being assured that He will take us to fulfilment, sharing in His glory. We can repeat the words of Moses with confidence: “…let my Lord come with us, I beg. True, they are a headstrong people, but forgive us our faults and our sins, and adopt us as your heritage.” In Jesus Christ, God has adopted us as his beloved children. Indeed, we are his heritage.

“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life." (Jn 3:16)

Being one body with Christ, we are invited to enter God’s mystery, accepting His love and feeling His heartbeat for us. With the psalmist, we sing, "To you glory and praise for evermore.”

God’s love bestowed on us must be present in our communities and mould our lives: “Brothers, we wish you happiness; try to grow perfect; help one another. Be united; live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11-13).