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Here is the study for 6:30 am, Saturday morning, August 26th, 2006 in the Hearth Room at Epiphany.

Receiving the Transforming Power of the Eucharist

Sunday, August 27, 2006
Joshua 24:1-2,15-18
Psalm 34:2-3,16-21
Ephesians 5:21-32
John 6:60-69

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

Preparing the Israelites to recommit themselves to the covenant with Yahweh, Joshua recounted the many ways God had delivered them from their enemies. He reminded them that God had chosen them to be his people and given them the Promised Land as their inheritance. In return, God asked them to honor and serve him alone (Joshua 24:1-15).

Centuries later, we are now offered an eternal inheritance with God. Unlike the ancient Israelites, our obstacles and enemies are not the sword or spear of other nations. For us, the battle lies within—a battle against fear, pride, ignorance, and even complacency in our quest to become pure in heart and clothed with Christ. We are to be known not for successfully conquering a piece of land but for our deep love for Jesus and his people.

How blessed we are to have Jesus Christ himself as our strength and nourishment in this battle! On the night before he was crucified, he gave us his body and blood so that we could be filled with his strength and his divine grace. With his very life at work within us, we now have an ability to love and forgive that goes beyond the limitations of our fallen human nature.

Many disciples who heard Jesus’ teaching on the bread of life could not accept it. Why would they need his flesh and blood to have life with God? They already had their Temple and the Law of Moses. But Peter summed up the answer: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Just as Yahweh was the Israelites’ only hope in conquering the Promised Land, so too is Jesus our only hope in living a life of purity, love, and freedom. So when you receive him at Communion, know that you are receiving something far more powerful than meets the eye. May we all be transformed into the One who offers himself to us so generously!

“Jesus, as I receive you at Mass today, I confess that I am weak, but you are strong. I proclaim with joy that I will follow you wherever you lead me.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In the first reading today, Joshua challenges the Israelites - who had witnessed God's saving hand as he freed them from Egypt, fed them in the desert for forty years, and gave them the promised land - to make a decision to serve the Lord or choose someone else whom they would follow. The Israelite’s response was, “Therefore, we will also serve the Lord, for he is our God.” Today the Lord is putting that same challenge to us. What are some steps you will take to serve the Lord more faithfully?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, we are promised God's constant closeness and protection, especially during times of great distress. In fact we are told our souls will "glory" in the Lord and be "glad". St. Augustine said a Christian should be an "alleluia from head to toe." How would you describe the ways your “gladness” in the Lord is a Christian witness to others?
3. In today's second reading, St. Paul exhorts husbands and wives, and all Christians, to practice a mutual humility, "be subordinate to one another" (Ephesians 5:21) - a frequent theme in a number of his letters. He also tells husbands to “love your wives even as Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her” (5:25). This is the highest possible standard of love for husbands. How does your love for your wife, and how you live it out, compare to this standard? What changes can you make to better reflect Christ’s love in your love for your wife and others?
4. In the letter to the Philippians, St. Paul continues this teaching, "Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). How does your attitude to your wife, and to others, compare to St. Paul's admonition? What steps can you take to better serve your wife and others in the spirit of this Scripture?
5. In the Gospel, we meet those followers of Jesus who found his teachings on the Eucharist too difficult, and so left him to return to their former way of life. St. Peter speaks for all of us when he says there is no one else to whom we can go because only Jesus has the words of eternal life. In what ways do you as a Catholic man find yourself vacillating between your former way of life and following Jesus wholeheartedly?
6. The meditation ends with these words, “Just as Yahweh was the Israelites’ only hope in conquering the Promised Land, so too is Jesus our only hope in living a life of purity, love, and freedom. So when you receive him at Communion, know that you are receiving something far more powerful than meets the eye. May we all be transformed into the One who offers himself to us so generously!” Do you believe that there is power in the Eucharist to transform you into the image and likeness of Christ? In preparing for Mass, what steps can you take to better receive the transforming power of the Eucharist?

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen