today's other readings are Acts 7: 51-8:1a and Psalm 31
At this point in the season of Easter the gospel passages are being taken from John 6, the famous "Bread of Life discourse".
in today's passage has echoes of the frequent number of times in the Exodus experience of the Israelites that they asked for signs from Moses of the presence of God in their midst, and these signs focus on their need to be fed.
Jesus reminds them that the manna that they received did not come from Moses but from God. And now they are being offered the true bread from heaven, Jesus Himself. For He is the bread of life, and as He assures us, those who come to Him will no hunger or thirst.
Now that we are in another shutdown, and we cannot celebrate public masses, we can we do to ensure that the faithful have the opportunity to receive the Bread of Life?
Cardinal Collins has provided parishes of a creative way to do so, through his permission for parishes to hold breif Communion Services on Saturday afternoons and Sunday. We did so during the last shutdown and I was gratified how many of you came for these services, which would last only 8-9 minutes and would include prayers, the Sunday gospel, and the opportunity to receive Holy Communion from the tabernacle.
I recognize that in no way are these services meant to be a replacement for the mass. For Mass can never be replaced. But in these challenging times, you have the opportunity to come to the church, with a maximum of 9 people per service, with safe distancing, and to hear the Sunday gospel proclaimed and be fed with this precious gift of our Lord.
I encourage you to do so by registering by Friday at 2 pm at the latest. Please click on the post Communion Services on the homepage of this website or click here Nativity of Our Lord (myparish.org)