Introit

 

Kyrie

Gloria

Collect

Almighty ever-living God,
whom, taught by the Holy Spirit,
we dare to call our Father,
bring, we pray, to perfection in our hearts
the spirit of adoption as your sons and daughters,
that we may merit to enter into the inheritance
which you have promised.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading 1 Kgs 19:4-8

Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then Elijah lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” 8 Elijah got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mountain of God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Second Reading Eph 4:30—5:2

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Alleluia Jn 6:51

Gospel Jn 6:41-51

The people began to complain about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 “I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Catena Nova

Christ came forth from his divine concealment to assume for love of humanity our human form. If we aspire to communion with Jesus, we must fix our eyes upon the most holy life he lived in the flesh and follow the example of his divine innocence so as to become pure and godlike. Then, in a manner befitting us, he will give us a resemblance to himself....He asks only that we unite ourselves to his most divine life by imitating it to the best of our ability, so as to enter into a real communion with God and his divine mysteries (Denis the Areopagite).

I began to amend my life by frequenting Holy Communion after having tried every other way and failed. When I went rarely to Holy Communion I had no end of bad habits and imperfections which appeared to me insurmountable. I uprooted these by multiplying my Communions. Every time I omitted frequent Communion I felt my weakness more. When I received Communion again I felt fervor rekindle in my heart…. If I found that when going frequently to Communion I became no better, was still just as weak, just as prone to evil, just as indifferent about sin, I should conclude not that I ought to leave off going, but that I ought to receive our Lord with better dispositions…. If you are imperfect, go often to Communion that you may amend your faults. My daily Mass and Communion is my only hope and resource. Jesus Christ…will counsel me and give me new strength; he will instruct, console, and encourage me and give me all the graces for which I pray (St. Claude La Colombière).

I was again in a church and had just knelt down before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in a monstrance when I experienced a very strange impression. You must, I feel sure, have observed that optical illusion which makes a bright spot against a dark background seem to expand and grow bigger? It was something of this sort that I experienced as I gazed at the host, its white shape standing out sharply, despite the candles on the altar, against the darkness of the choir. At least, that is what happened to begin with; later on, as you shall hear, my experience assumed proportions which no physical analogy could express. I had then the impression as I gazed at the host that its surface was gradually spreading out like a spot of oil but of course much more swiftly and luminously. At the beginning it seemed to me that I alone had noticed any change, and that it was taking place without awakening any desire or encountering any obstacle. But little by little, as the white orb grew and grew in space till it seemed to be drawing quite close to me, I heard a subdued sound, an immeasurable murmur, as when the rising tide extends its silver waves over the world of the algae which tremble and dilate at its approach, or when the burning heather crackles as fire spreads over the heath.  (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin).

The gentiles, exactly in line with what we might expect, have futile minds and darkened understanding “alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them” (Eph 4:18). Because of this it is not surprising that they are entirely run by the desires of the world and its old nature (4:19-22). However, those who have learnt the things of Christ should be first “renewed in the spirit of your minds” and thus able to “put on the new man, the one created according to [after the likeness of] God in the righteousness and holiness of truth” (Eph. 4:23-42).The author then goes on to show what this putting on of a new man might mean, and there is nothing escapist about it: the putting on of a new nature is exactly described as the redirection of the mimetically formed old nature. So, instead of speaking falsehood to our neighbor (old man), or indeed not speaking to them at all — an escapism not even contemplated in the text — we must speak the truth to them, for we are members one of another:… It is in the light of this that the following instructions about avoiding particular aspects of the world of desire proper to un-reformed selves are to be read. These desires militate against the walking in love in such a way that one can offer oneself up as a sacrifice to God. By walking in the light however, we are not expected simply to shun the darkness, but actively to show it up for what it is: “Take no part in the works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Eph. 5:11). There is no escapism here, but an awareness that by living the life of Christ we will show up the works of darkness. It was that living of the light, of course, which was what caused Christ to be turned into a sacrifice in the first place. (James Alison).

 

Homily

     Few passages from Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy have caused more divergent interpretation than the following: “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation [participatio actuosa] in liturgical celebration which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.  Such participation by the Christian people as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.  In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit; and therefore pastors of souls must zealously strive to achieve it, by means of the necessary instruction, in all their pastoral work" (no. 14). 

     The passage might seem pretty straightforward especially in view of a liturgy that until then had been celebrated in Latin with a congregation mostly disconnected from the action at the altar whose priest prayed most of the Mass silently and whatever responses were to be made were done by altar boys on behalf of the people.  Only innovators dared introduce the “dialogue Mass” where folks in the pews made the responses – in Latin, of course.  All that began to change around 1965.  “Active participation” is what the Council called for and that’s what it got.

     Or did it? Well, yes, of course from one standpoint. One hardly knows how to begin with the achievements its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy brought about: vernacularization of the rites with its spoken and sung responses of the whole assembly, the enrichment of the Lectionary and Roman Missal, the simplification of the calendar, the renewal of preaching, the restoration of the chalice to the laity, the expansion of official liturgical ministries like lector and acolyte to both men and women. What more “full, conscious and active participation” could anyone want?

Silence overcomes noise and talk; composure is the victory over distractions and unrest. Silence is the quiet of a person who could be talking; composure is the vital, dynamic unity of individuals who could be divided by their surroundings, tossed to and fro by the myriad happenings of every day.

What then do we mean by composure? As a rule, one's attention is broken into a thousand fragments by the variety of things and persons about us. Our minds are restless; our feelings seek objects that are constantly changing; our desires reach out for one thing after another; our will is captured by a thousand intentions, often conflicting. We are harried, torn, self-contradictory. Composure works in the opposite direction, rescuing our attention from the sundry objects holding it captive and restoring unity to our spirit. It frees our mind from its many tempting claims and focuses it on one, the all-important. It calls the soul that is dispersed over myriad thoughts and desires, plans and intentions back to itself, re-establishing its depth.

     The author goes on to speak of the situation in 1955 when he wrote these words.  Imagine what he would think today with cable television, social media and the Internet all making us "lose our composure":

What is genuinely disastrous is the disorder and artificiality of present-day existence. We are constantly stormed by violent and chaotic impressions. At once powerful and superficial, they are soon exhausted, only to be replaced by others. They are immoderate and disconnected, the one contradicting, disturbing, and obstructing the other. At every step we find ourselves in the claws of purposes and cross-purposes that inveigle and trick us. Everywhere we are confronted by advertising that attempts to force upon us things we neither want nor really need. We are constantly lured from the important and profound to the distracting, "interesting," piquant. This state of affairs exists not only around but within us. To a large extent we live without depth, without a center, in superficiality and chance. No longer finding the essential within ourselves, we grab at all sorts of stimulants and sensations; we enjoy them briefly, tire of them, recall our own emptiness and demand new distractions. We touch everything brought within easy reach of our mind by the constantly increasing means of transportation, information, education, and amusement; but we don't really absorb anything.  We content ourselves with having "heard about it"; we label it with some current catchword, and shove it aside for the next.  We are hollow people and try to fill our emptiness with constant, restless activity. We are happiest when in the thick of things, in the rush and noise and stimulus of quick results and successes. The moment quiet surrounds us, we are lost.

     Well, some of us at least.  By contrast, Guardini notes how

Composure is more than freedom from scattered impressions and occupations. It is something positive; it is life in its full depth and power. Left to itself, life will always turn outward toward the multiplicity of things and events, and this natural inclination must be counter-balanced.

Only the composed person is really someone. Only such persons can be seriously addressed as capable of replying. Only they are genuinely affected by what life brings them, for they alone are awake, aware. And not only are they wide awake in the superficial sense of being quick to see and grab their advantage; this is a watchfulness shared also by birds and ants. What we mean is true awareness: that inner knowledge of the essential; that ability to make responsible decisions; sensitivity, readiness, and joie de vivre.

Once composure has been established, the liturgy is possible…. Without it, even the liturgy deteriorates to something "interesting," a passing vogue. To participate in the liturgy seriously we must be mentally composed. But, like silence, composure does not create itself; it must be willed and practiced.  (https://www.ecatholic2000.com/guardini/mass5.shtml)

     How exactly to do this, Guardini does not say.  But it seems to me a healthy dose of silence built into one's day is a start: employing the countless prayer forms at our disposal both within the church's repertoire and elsewhere, free of the distraction and noise that pollutes our souls and renders what we are doing here often less than "full and active" participation and more like the manna in the desert or the multipled loaves and fish that could satisfy for only so long, astonishing in their own way, but not like the Living Bread that came down from heaven and is alone able to fulfill of our hunger and thirst.

     So, by all means, regain your composure!

Intercessions (Joe Milner; The Sunday Website)

For the Church: that we will find nourishment and sustenance in Christ, the Bread of Life, for our daily journey and the fulfillment for all the hungers and yearnings of our hearts.

For the grace to forgive: that, having experienced God’s generous forgiveness to us, we may be free to forgive all who have wronged us.

For a new vision of our life journey: that we may be open to the vision God holds for us and that we may be free to rely upon God as we encounter trials, struggles, and doubts.

For a transformation of our minds and hearts: that the Holy Spirit will free us from all bitterness and anger and guide us in living as children of God each day.

For healing of racism: that the Holy Spirit will open us to the prejudice and discrimination that exists within us and in the society around us so that we may promote greater justice and understanding.

For those who have been evicted from their homes or who are facing eviction: that God will move leaders to act to protect them and free up the needed resources for their safe shelter and food.

For an end to nuclear proliferation: that God will show us the true destructive power of nuclear weapons and inspire us to protect the earth for future generations.

For relief from the effects of wildfires and floods: that God will help all who are fighting the wildfires, provide recovery assistance to those impacted by the hurricane and give strength and shelter to those who have evacuated.

God, our Father and provider, whose Son has given his flesh for the life of the world, sustain your pilgrim Church on its journey with the word of life and the bread of heaven. Draw us nearer to him in whose name we gather, that, following his way of sacrificial love, we may come to the banquet of eternal life. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen (ICEL; 1998).

Offertory Chant

Offertory Hymn (Marty Haugen)

 

O taste and see the goodness of the Lord!

I will bless the Lord at all times,

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

I will glory in the Lord;

the humble shall hear and be glad.   O taste and see….

Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;

let us exalt his name together;

I sought the Lord and he answered me,

and saved me from all my distress.   O taste and see….

I am the bread of life;

(s)he who comes to me shall not hunger,

and (s)he who believes in me shall not thirst.   O taste and see….

Look upon him and be radiant,

and let not your faces be ashamed.

I called on the Lord and he answered me,

and saved me from all my troubles.   O taste and see….

The angel of the Lord guards those who fear him,

and will deliver them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

happy are they who trust in him.   O taste and see….

This is the bread which comes down from heaven;

that a [man] may eat of it and not die.

I am the living bread come from heaven;

if anyone eats of this bread, (s)he will live forever.    O taste and see….

Give praise to the Father almighty,

to his Son, Jesus Christ the Lord,

to the Spirit, who dwells in our hearts,

both now and forever.  Amen.    O taste and see….

Communion Antiphon

 

Closing Hymn (George Hugh Bourne)

 

Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor,
first-begotten from the dead.
Thou alone, our strong defender,
liftest up thy people’s head.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Jesus, true and living bread!

Here our humblest homage pay we,
here in loving reverence bow;
here for faith’s discernment pray we,
lest we fail to know thee now.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou art here, we ask not how.
Thou art here, we ask not how.

Though the lowliest form doth veil thee
as of old in Bethlehem,
here as there thine angels hail thee,
branch and flower of Jesse’s stem.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
We in worship join with them.
We in worship join with them.

Paschal Lamb, thine offering, finished
once for all when thou was slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall for evermore remain.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cleansing souls from every stain.
Cleansing souls from every stain.

Life-imparting heavenly Manna,
stricken Rock with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Risen, ascended, glorified!
Risen, ascended, glorified!