The Mass in Focus

Readings for the holy Mass — 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior's commentary on the readings for this Sunday's Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, August 26, 2012   See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio

Path to eternal life: Sharing in Christ’s body and blood

“For my flesh is true food and my blood true drink,” Jesus says in this Sunday’s Gospel passage. The passage taken from the Bread of Life discourse in chapter six of the Gospel according to John continues the Gospel account we have been hearing for the past three weeks. The passage begins repeating the end of last week’s reading: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” In these words we are reminded that Jesus “is from heaven.” He comes from the Father down to earth. His mission is to reveal the Father and His love. In doing this he will gather all to himself in that love. The loving relationship is one that brings life – eternal life. Finally to accomplish His mission he will lay down his life in sacrifice. In this passage the eucharistic theme comes to the fore.

Readings for the holy Mass — 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior's commentary on the readings for this Sunday's Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, August 19, 2012   See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio

Three times, Jesus shows He is the Bread of Life

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I give is my flesh for the life of the world,” says Jesus in this week’s Gospel passage. The passage is taken from the “Bread of Life” discourse in the Gospel according to John, chapter six. Two Sundays ago we had the prelude to this discourse when Jesus fed the 5,000 with the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Last Sunday we heard the first part of the discourse when Jesus speaks of the need for faith and associates that faith with Himself. Belief in Jesus brings life. Today the discourse continues where Jesus identifies himself as the “living bread.”

Readings for the holy Mass — 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior's commentary on the readings for this Sunday's Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, August 5, 2012   See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio

In hard times and always, our path to abundant life lies in ‘the Bread of Life’

The Catholic Herald (newspaper of the Archdiocese of Westminster in London, England) published an article on June 29, 1956 titled Prisoners have Mass in a mine. The story tells of the great faith and consolation received by the group of Lithuanian gulag prisoners during the time of Stalin. Deep within the mines away from the guards, the prisoner priests would celebrate Mass for their fellow prisoners. These prisoners received the strength and consolation of the Eucharist in this most desperate of situations. While they were bound by prison they realized their true freedom comes from Christ. No walls can keep Him away. He comes to them in a special way in the Eucharist and through His grace and presence in the Sacrament they receive strength to face another day of hard labor and oppression. They know that He is the source of life and with faith in Him they can face any challenge.

Readings for the holy Mass — 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, August 5, 2012   See the readings for today’s Mass Listen […]

Jesus gives His very self as the food we need for life

Eating and drinking are two activities that all human beings need to do in order to stay alive. For those who have food and drink readily available the activity is a regular part of life. The activity is something we do, not only to satisfy a biological need but something we enjoy. Many of us have favorite meals or beverages. Sometimes for special occasions we have a favorite meal. Growing up, Mom would always make our favorite foods on our birthdays. The special meals bring joy and satisfaction not only that we can eat or drink something we like, but because we are together and sharing the meal with each other. Similar occasions occur with friends as well.

Jesus calls us to ‘a deserted place’ and to compassion

Jesus invites his disciples to go to a “deserted place.” He recognizes that they are in need of some quiet time. The time in a “deserted place” is valuable for them. The term “deserted place” has an association with the “desert.” A desert is a place that has little distractions. There are no market places, no fields to tend, no rivers or lakes in which to fish. The place affords those there to concentrate on things that they value most, central of which is their relationship with God. Going to a deserted place will give them the opportunity to grow in their relationship with God through prayer.

Readings for the holy Mass

Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior's commentary on the readings for this Sunday's Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, July 29, 2012   See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio