Father Thai LePastor · St. Thomas More

Pastor's Message (English)

Hello!

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, today's readings invite us to reflect on the human journey, showing how the power of Divine love guides us through life's transitions.

The first reading describes the Israelites traveling through the wilderness under Moses' leadership, on the verge of a significant transition—from the wilderness to the Promised Land. Through every

challenge they faced, God was with them, guiding them through years of fear, confusion, and frustration. When they were hungry, God provided manna from heaven. Moses urges them to hold fast to this—to remain faithful and resist the temptation to focus on hardships or blame God for their struggles.

Human nature leads us to focus on challenges that distract us from recognizing the blessing of God's protection. We tend to remember disappointments more vividly than the moments when God has helped us. For example, a person who has lost a job might dwell on feelings of unfairness or guilt. Amid the anxiety of unemployment, they may overlook the support of family and friends who also pray for them. Similarly, someone diagnosed with cancer may sink into despair over their diagnosis, losing sight of those beside them. Like the Israelites, we frequently perceive the harsh realities of our own "deserts" but fail to acknowledge the manna that God continues to provide each day.

Like the Israelite community, which made its transition under Moses' leadership, the Corinthian Church was a young Christian community facing immaturity in faith that caused division and tension among its members. In the second reading, the apostle Paul arrives, much like Moses, with a profound reminder regarding their faith and practices. Paul reminds the Corinthians that sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ signifies their oneness.

In today's Gospel, Jesus declares, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven." Many who listened struggled to understand His message; however, Jesus did not change His teachings to suit their feelings. He wanted His followers to realize that He would fully give His own life for the life of the world. In the Eucharist, Jesus offers not merely a symbol of His love but His very self.

I remember visiting a homebound parishioner who could no longer attend Mass due to her poor health. Whenever the Eucharist came to her home, I would see tears in her eyes. She would say, "Jesus has come to visit me during this time." Her simple words reflected the depth of her faith. She believed that the Eucharist is not merely a ritual or a moment to rush through; it is an encounter with the living Christ.

Just as manna sustained the Israelites in the desert, the Body and Blood of Christ sustain us through our own challenges. We are never alone in our financial burdens, illness, or grief. Christ guides our families and us through our loneliness and uncertainty about the future. We should share our pain and fears with Him in prayer. Imagine having someone who is always beside you, listening, loving, and guiding you every step of the way. Even our dearest human companions can't always be there for us.

Hunger takes many forms—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. In every age, God responds to that hunger with His faithful presence. He fed the Israelites with manna in the desert, united the Corinthians through the sharing of the one Bread and one Cup, and in Jesus gave us the Bread of life that truly satisfies the deepest longing of the human heart. The Eucharist is not simply a religious ritual; it is Christ Himself, who nourishes, strengthens, and accompanies us on our journey. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, we need to approach the Holy Eucharist with renewed faith, remembering the Lord who continues to nurture us, heal us, and draw us into deeper communion with God and with one another. Thus, as His love nourishes us, we are also reminded to feed others through words and deeds of charity, compassion, and service.

God bless!

Fr. Thai Le