Our Great Journey

Our weekly post offers prayer resources, a glimpse of the upcoming Sunday Gospel with short commentary, discussion/reflection questions and suggestions for living the Gospel. We will continue to post all through the summer.

This week our theme is “I am the Living Bread,” based on John 6: 51-58/ Juan 6:51-58.

Opening Prayer:

On occasion of Consecrating the USA to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, we pray…

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:

You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you.

From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst.

Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you.

We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation, founded on the self-evident truths that our Creator has endowed all people with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation.

May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed.

May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinite love.

O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America.

Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Using the Bible, invite a family member to read the Gospel aloud.

Things to talk about:

What do you think Jesus means when he says, “I am the living bread”?
What do you remember about your first holy Communion? If you haven’t made your first Communion yet, what do you look forward to about that day?
Do you realize that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist? How do you prepare to receive him?
What is said to us when we receive holy Communion? How do we reply? What does that mean?
How does receiving Communion change us?

Things to do:

This week on June 11, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To learn more about the consecration and for prayers, click HERE.
Read 3 of the Gospel passages below. Describe with whom Jesus eats and what happens during the meal. Matthew 9:9-13 Matthew 14:13-21 Mark 14:3-9 Luke 7:36-50 Luke 11:37-44 Luke 14:1-6 Luke 14:12-14 Luke 14:15-24 Luke 19:1-10 Luke 24:36-48 John 13:1-15 John 21:9-17
Discuss why we say “Body of Christ” rather than “Body of Jesus.” Church teaching on the Real Presence is that it is the presence of the risen Christ, not the historical body of Jesus. Following the resurrection, the name Christ has been used to identify Jesus as the one anointed by God’s Holy Spirit,
Bake easy unleavened bread, click HERE for the recipe.
Learn to draw the Eucharist, click HERE.

Closing Prayer

Listen and pray with Matt Maher’s song, “Adoration.”

Name anyone who needs prayer, reply, “Lord, hear our prayers.” Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insight

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This feast was once called Corpus Christi, which is Latin for “Body of Christ.” In the revised Lectionary the name is expanded to reflect more completely our Eucharistic theology.

This Gospel is part of a discourse between Jesus and a crowd of Jews. Jesus tells them that he is the bread of life. He explains that just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain them in the desert, so now God has sent new manna that will give eternal life.

Jesus’ words are not well understood by the crowd; they argue that Jesus is not from heaven but born of Mary and Joseph; they have trouble understanding how Jesus could give them his flesh to eat. These are difficult words, but they are important because they show our intimate connection with Jesus.

This is the mystery that is at the core of our Eucharistic theology. In the elements of bread and wine, Jesus’ Body and Blood are truly present. When we share in the Eucharist, Jesus himself comes to dwell within us. This communion makes us one body, brings us eternal life and sends us forth to be Christ’s Body in the world.

Every time we go the Eucharist we become more like Jesus.