From the Pastor&#039;s Desk: August 1, 2021

This Sunday we continue our reflection on Chapter Six of John’s Gospel – the Bread of Life Discourse. Last week, Jesus performed the multiplication of the loaves and all the people who witnessed the amazing miracle hailed Jesus as prophet and wanted to make Him king so He withdrew from them. They wanted to fulfill and satisfied their dreams and ambition, giving Jesus anything He would ask for including the celebrity status for as long as it lasted. But the Lord didn't come to earth for an ego-trip; He came to fulfill His mission.

And His mission is not to bring paradise on earth - which is what they want: "you are... looking for me... because you had all the bread you wanted to eat." Rather, He came to bring them "bread from heaven," the truth and freedom that comes from living, believing, and remaining in communion with God.
Throughout the first section of this chapter, while speaking of the bread of life, Jesus uses language of believing, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent”, drawing near, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” and listening, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” as to invite His followers to a personal commitment and love to embrace His teaching and imitate His life given for others. “Sir, give us this bread always.”

This bread of God that comes down from heaven “gives life to the world” and “whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst,” presents an incredible promise for all who believe. Belief in Jesus is indeed the very basic ingredient of His grace for us. Belief is not a simple intellectual assent, but an authentic, total commitment to Him of loyalty and solidarity to experience true life in Jesus. Let us grow in our humble disposition to ever more hunger for that “Bread of life” -Jesus Christ Himself, especially as we pray to "give us this day our daily bread," we can remember that the Holy Eucharist is not simply a symbol, snack, such as we might eat at a party or at lunch, but rather it is food for our souls giving us a share in God’s life.

In the context of our reflection of the Gospel these days we prepare to celebrate 40 Hours of Adoration in our parish on August 19-21, 2021. This devotion offers an incredible opportunity to gather as a community before the Blessed Sacrament and to pray before the Lord in solemn adoration. It gives time to deepen our appreciation of the importance of the mystery of the Eucharist in our lives. We introduce this devotion in thanksgiving for the blessings to return to worship after the pandemic, for the many blessings the Lord has bestowed on us especially during these trying times, for all who were affected by the pandemic, to further the mission of our faith community in preparation to enter the New School and Family Faith Formation Year. In addition to the Forty Hours Adoration, we will offer the Eucharistic Miracles display in the parish hall. Please plan to participate in this awesome time of adoration, prayer and thanksgiving.

In the next few days we will begin work to replace the roof on the Parish Hall. The roof experienced damage during a tornado type of weather that went through Middleburg back in February 2020. We tried to exercise other options as partially fixing the affected areas but the damage was too extensive. Although our insurance initially declined the claim we are in the process of appealing. To not burden you with additional financial responsibilities by recommendation of the Finance Council, we will use money from our savings to cover the cost of the roof. I am grateful for your support and dedication to our St. Luke faith community.

This week we focus on how to grow in faith, how to become greater believers in the Eucharistic Jesus with such an amazing desire to experience true success, happiness and fulfilment in this life. I am convinced that only then we can truly and generously do something beautiful for God with our lives. “Bring God to everyone you meet each day. Humility always radiates the glory and greatness of God. How wonderful are the ways of God who chose humility, smallness, helplessness, and poverty to prove His love to the world. Do not be afraid to be humble, small, and helpless in order to prove your love for God and others.” –St. Mother Teresa

Have a blessed week! With prayers, Fr. Andy