Psalm: 34
Reading II: Ephesians 5:15-20
Gospel: John 6:51-58
One of the greatest blessings in life is to have a close and faithful friend. One can share one’s inmost thoughts and concerns with the person. In addition, through the ups and downs of life, this friend will be loyal and supportive. While we all have many acquaintances in life, we usually only have a few intimate human friends.
However, in today’s Gospel we are reminded that we all are offered that special friendship with Jesus. Not only does He come so close that; He actually allows us to feed on him in Holy Communion, but He is also eternally present to us, here
and hereafter.
Jesus tells us: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me
and I in Him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” When we become one with Jesus in Holy Communion, we are given the
grace to live a life of love as Jesus did.
However, Jesus also is God. Therefore, He can be with us permanently. We don’t have to suffer the pain of saying “Good-bye” to Him. Although we may not always feel His presence, we know He is with us. Just as we cannot see the air which surrounds us, we know it is there. Otherwise, we could not live. However, there are times when a cool breeze will comfort us or we see the power of God in a storm winds. So God can make his presence felt in a kind word spoken to us or a helping hand from a neighbor.
Finally, when our time on this earth is completed, we will see the Lord face to face. He has prepared a place for us in our eternal home with Him. How blessed we are!!
The following hymn was written by Joseph Scriven who experienced many tragedies in his life. It was the support of his friend, Jesus, which helped him through them all.
- What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- What a friend we have in Jesus,
- All our sins and griefs to bear!
- What a privilege to carry
- Everything to God in prayer!
- Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
- Oh, what needless pain we bear,
- All because we do not carry
- Everything to God in prayer!
- Have we trials and temptations?
- Is there trouble anywhere?
- We should never be discouraged—
- Take it to the Lord in prayer.
- Can we find a friend so faithful,
- Who will all our sorrows share?
- Jesus knows our every weakness;
- Take it to the Lord in prayer.
- Are we weak and heavy-laden,
- Cumbered with a load of care?
- Precious Savior, still our refuge—
- Take it to the Lord in prayer.
- Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
- Take it to the Lord in prayer!
- In His arms, He’ll take and shield thee,
- Thou wilt find a solace there.
- Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
- Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
- May we ever, Lord, be bringing
- All to Thee in earnest prayer.
- Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
- There will be no need for prayer—
- Rapture, praise, and endless worship
- Will be our sweet portion there.
- One may hear this hymn on YouTube:Epic Youth Watsonville and others.
Reflection Question: How can I show gratitude to the Lord for his friendship?
Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
El Regalo de la Amistad
Una de las mayores bendiciones en la vida es tener un amigo cercano y fiel. Uno puede compartir sus pensamientos y preocupaciones con la persona. Además, a través de los altibajos de la vida, este amigo será leal y solidario. Si bien todos tenemos muchos conocidos en la vida, generalmente solo tenemos unos pocos amigos humanos íntimos.
Sin embargo, en el Evangelio de hoy se nos recuerda que a todos se nos ofrece esa especial amistad con Jesús. No solo se acerca tanto; Él realmente nos permite alimentarnos de él en la Sagrada Comunión, pero Él también está eternamente presente para nosotros, aquí y en el más allá.
Jesús nos dice: “El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre permanece en mí y yo en él. Así como el Padre viviente me envió y yo tengo vida por el Padre, así también el que se alimenta de mí tendrá vida por mí ”. Cuando nos volvemos uno con Jesús en la Sagrada Comunión, recibimos la gracia para vivir una vida de amor como lo hizo Jesús.
Sin embargo, Jesús también es Dios. Por lo tanto, Él puede estar con nosotros permanentemente. No tenemos que sufrir el dolor de decirle “Adiós” a él. Aunque no siempre podamos sentir Su presencia, sabemos que Él está con nosotros. Así como no podemos ver el aire que nos rodea, sabemos que está allí. De lo contrario, no podríamos vivir. Sin embargo, hay momentos en que una brisa fresca nos consuela o vemos el poder de Dios en una tormenta. Entonces Dios puede hacer sentir su presencia en una palabra amable que nos hable o en una mano de un vecino.
Finalmente, cuando nuestro tiempo en esta tierra sea completado, veremos al Señor cara a cara. Él ha preparado un lugar para nosotros en nuestro hogar eterno con él. ¡Qué bendecidos somos!
El siguiente himno fue escrito por Jose Scriven, quien experimentó muchas tragedias en su vida. Fue el apoyo de su amigo, Jesús, lo que lo ayudó a superarlos a todos.
- What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- What a friend we have in Jesus,
- All our sins and griefs to bear!
- What a privilege to carry
- Everything to God in prayer!
- Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
- Oh, what needless pain we bear,
- All because we do not carry
- Everything to God in prayer!
- Have we trials and temptations?
- Is there trouble anywhere?
- We should never be discouraged—
- Take it to the Lord in prayer.
- Can we find a friend so faithful,
- Who will all our sorrows share?
- Jesus knows our every weakness;
- Take it to the Lord in prayer.
- Are we weak and heavy-laden,
- Cumbered with a load of care?
- Precious Savior, still our refuge—
- Take it to the Lord in prayer.
- Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
- Take it to the Lord in prayer!
- In His arms, He’ll take and shield thee,
- Thou wilt find a solace there.
- Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
- Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
- May we ever, Lord, be bringing
- All to Thee in earnest prayer.
- Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
- There will be no need for prayer—
- Rapture, praise, and endless worship
- Will be our sweet portion there.
- One may hear this hymn on YouTube:Epic Youth Watsonville and others.
No comments:
Post a Comment