Newsletter – 22nd June, 2014 Body and Blood of Christ

Thoughts on Today’s Scripture Readings

Deut 8:2-3,14-16        Ps 147     1 Cor 10:16-17     Jn 6:51-5

Deuteronomy, the “second” book of the law, collected and organised the whole Jewish law from the previous four books. It emphasises that Israel must remember how they had been tested in the wilderness so that they would not again neglect their God. God provided manna and land for their needs, but warned them not to think their success was due to their own efforts.

Paul recalls the wanderings of the Jews in the desert to warn the Corinthians not to have anything to do with idols. They must not compromise. Worship is more than words and actions, it implies the spiritual reality of becoming partners. We cannot share in Christ’s body and blood while also seeking demons such as money and power. Belonging to Christ must be total.

Chapter six of John’s gospel describes Jesus feeding the five thousand before saying that the manna came not from Moses but from the Father. And it is the Father who now offers “the true bread from heaven”, which “gives life to the world” – that is, Jesus himself. Jesus’ teaching is stark. Many could not accept it then, or now. But Jesus insists: we must show we are united with him body and soul by our physical communion with him – and so be united with all his followers. Faith must always be shown by action.

Tea and Coffee – After Mass in the meeting room across garden – please join us.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

FIRST MEAL ON THE MOON

I still remember where I was and what I was doing on a Sunday, July 20, 1969. I was in Africa (Mozambique) outside the window of my Bishop’s office. Inside his office my Bishop and I were listening to this small radio I was holding in my hand. The news was: «Apolo 11 was landing on the moon». Both of us were feeling emotional.
Most remember Astronaut Neil Armstrong’s first words as he stepped onto the moon’s surface: «That’s a small step for man, one giant leap for mankind».

But few know about the first meal eaten on the moon.

Dennis Fisher reports that Buzz Aldrin, the NASA Astronaut, had taken aboard the spacecraft a tiny pyx provided by his Catholic pastor. Aldrin sent a radio broadcast to earth asking listeners to contemplate the events of the day and give thanks. Then, blacking out the broadcast for privacy, Aldrin read, «I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit». Then silently he gave thanks for their successful journey to the moon and received Jesus in the Holy Eucharist surrendering moon to Jesus. Next he descended on the moon and walked on it with Neil Armstrong. His Pastor was Fr. Dennis Barry from St. Martin’s Catholic Church, La Mesa, California. His nephew, Fr. Eddie Collins, confirmed years later that Buzz Aldrin was an altar server to his uncle Fr. Barry.

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Today the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Our God was transformed into food for the road no matter where we are travelling to.