In the past 10-15 years, there has become a new type of tv show that specializes in major transformations. There’s Dancing With The Stars which turns famous people with two left feet into decent dancers. Home renovation reality shows help families renovate homes. The Biggest Loser gives personal trainers to people who are very overweight; and help them gain control over their lives. There are plenty of cooking shows that help the ordinary cook become a first-class chef.
What is fascinating to us is to see the miracles of “what was” become “what can be”, right in front of our eyes. Today, Jesus reveals the deepest transformation imaginable: the very being of our bodies become transformed when we take into ourselves the “real food” of Jesus’ body, and the “real drink” of Jesus’ blood. Jesus then abides with us, and we have his eternal life. At first thought, it’s unbelievable, isn’t it? But food is our most basic requirement for life—from the moment of conception. All creatures must eat and drink or die.
However, in the case of Jesus, food is more than mere survival. When we take in Jesus’ body and blood, we’re not just “takers”—we become givers. Some people have a spirituality that is so preoccupied with taking the host, they miss the transformation into “givers.” We can’t mess around with this: we do not dare ask for Jesus in the Eucharist unless we are ready to do his work in the world. As one priest said, “If your Communion only happens in a church, then it is not Communion with our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Update on COVID restrictions – This is the first weekend that we are allowed to gather in an “almost normal” manner. The restrictions on social distancing has been removed; church occupancy can now be 100% (750 at St. John Capistran, 1200 at St. Thomas More). Holy water has returned to the fonts and the collection basket can now be passed.
What can’t we do? We are not permitted to have physical contact for the Sign of Peace. Nor are we allowed to distribute the Precious Blood at Communion time.
We are all requested to ask ourselves before we come to church: “are we feeling well?” If not, stay home and get better.
Confession Times – Now that we are returning to a routine schedule, beginning July 1st, Saturday confessions at St. John Capistran church will return to the previously scheduled time: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Saturday confessions at St. Thomas More church will remain at 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.