Reflection for 19 Sunday of Ordinary Time, week beginning 8 August 2021.
Our Reflection in last Sunday’s newsletter mentioned 5th August, the commemoration of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. Either side of that date, we have significant dates in the Church’s calendar.
August 4th is the Memorial of St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney who is the patron saint of the Diocesan priesthood.
August 6th is the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This feast is clearly all about light. His leading apostles (Peter, James and John) see him in his heavenly aspect.
For us, he is the Light of the World. This light may be said to shine out from the monstrance on the altar during Eucharistic Adoration.
St. Jean Vianney has said of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament: “Our Lord is there as a victim, and a prayer that is very pleasing to God is to ask the Blessed Virgin to offer, to the Eternal Father, her divine Son, all bleeding, all torn, for the conversion of sinners; it is the best prayer we can make since, indeed, all prayers are made in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ”
For us, may the Real Presence of Jesus in the monstrance on the altar always be like unto a spiritual sun every shining upon us, one and all.
Good Shepherd Catholic Church 