What we ponder on and allow to germinate in our minds influences how we conduct ourselves outwardly; and in a time marked by so much contention and polarization, only wholesome meditation can be an inspiration for exemplary living. As the hands of feet of Christ, it is our duty to set the right tone as we together contribute to the right development and well-being of our society.

St. Paul challenges us to ponder all that is virtuous in order to crowd out every unworthy thought from our minds: Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8). Our pondering on such matters will lead to good deeds. I can’t guarantee earth-shattering results from those deeds, but we’re called, not so much to success, as faithfulness to Christ, our Exemplar in Faith. Right development is a slow process, not unlike gardening. Besides, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness” (Eleanor Roosevelt).

A final thought: the call to exemplary living is not a sign of naivety or that one is a pushover, Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Most people in our society are good, well-intentioned folk, but until all are such we must be scrappy while keeping our intentions true.

David J. Conrad

This Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time through the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear the Gospel of St. John, rather than from St. Mark. These St. John’s writings are all about Jesus as the Bread of Life. These next five weeks in the liturgical cycle is often referred to as ‘The Bread of Life Discourse,’ and our focus these next few weeks in Scripture is on the Jesus as Eucharist.

​Today, the Old Testament Reading from the Second Book of Kings and the Gospel of John, are about a multiplication of loaves to feed the people—with plenty left over! The Responsorial Psalm today is: “The hand of Lord feeds us; He answers all our needs.” Listen closely to the verses of this Psalm about God’s great generosity!

St. Paul reminds us today to “live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love…” We are to be fed and then transformed by our joining together at the table of the Eucharist. This is food for our journey in life. This is the nourishment for endurance and for change in order to be what we profess to be: disciples and believers in Christ.

Every Sunday We Remember how he loved us to His death, we know Him in The Breaking of the Bread, We Are Called and we sing the Song of the Body of Christ together. We Come in Joy to Meet the Lord, We Gather Together at the Table of Plenty to Taste and See His goodness. We Come and Eat This Bread, for You Satisfy the Hungry Heart. Take and Eat, and Look Beyond the obvious and Behold the Lamb of God who Now in This Banquet gives us Life-Giving Bread, Saving Cup. He makes of us One Bread, One Body. He is The Bread of Life, Bread for the World and Our Blessing Cup.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc