2024

17th Sunday of Year B

July 28, 2024 Catechism

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First Reading

In 2 Kings 4:42-44, Elisha miraculously feeds a hundred people with twenty barley loaves. This prefigures the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves in John 6:1-15, where Jesus feeds five thousand people with only five barley loaves and two fish. The Catechism highlights the importance of such miracles in our understanding of the Eucharistic celebration, stating, “The miracles of the multiplication of the loaves… announce the Eucharistic feast in which Christ will be offered” (CCC, 1335).

These scriptural accounts also demonstrate the power of faith in God’s providence. As the Catechism emphasizes,

“Faith is a personal act – the free response of the human person to the initiative of God” (CCC, 166).

We see the trust placed in God’s power as Elisha distributes the meager food supply, and as Jesus looks to heaven, blesses the bread, and gives it to the people.

Fr. Mike Schmitz’s reflection highlights the importance of the Eucharist in the Catholic faith, emphasizing its connection to God’s salvation story, the significance of bread and wine, and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By understanding the Eucharistic celebration’s continuity with Old Testament events, such as the multiplication of loaves in 2 Kings 4:42-44, we can appreciate the profound meaning and importance of this sacrament in our lives as Catholics.

Eucharist as Part of God’s Salvation Story: Just as Elisha’s multiplication of loaves prefigures the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand, the Eucharist is an essential part of God’s salvation story. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that “the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover” (CCC, 1330). This connection underscores the continuity between the Old Testament events and the New Testament fulfillment through Jesus Christ.

Significance of Bread and Wine: The use of bread and wine in the Eucharist, as emphasized by Fr. Schmitz, echoes the story of Elisha’s multiplication of barley loaves. This common thread demonstrates the importance of these elements in God’s plan and their ultimate fulfillment in the Eucharistic celebration.

Connection to the Ultimate Sacrifice: Both Elisha’s miracle and the Eucharistic celebration point toward the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Catechism states, “The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice” (CCC, 1367). This connection reinforces the centrality of Christ’s sacrifice in the Catholic faith and its embodiment in the Eucharistic celebration.

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2 Kgs 4:42-44

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FR. MIKE - Day 182: The Signs of Bread and Wine

The Eucharist is a significant and central part of God's salvation story, fulfilling the signs of bread and wine and connecting to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and it is a gift of God's love that we should embrace and experience in every mass.

00:00 📱 Ascension has a new app with the Great Adventure Bible, catechism of the Catholic Church, and podcast transcripts, and Father Mike Schmitz reads through the catechism in the Catechism in a Year podcast.
- Ascension has released a new Bible and catechism app called the Ascension app, which includes the entire text of the Great Adventure Bible, the catechism of the Catholic Church, and transcripts for each episode of the podcast, with special features that make connections between the Bible and the catechism.
- Learn about the Bible and the catechism through the Catechism in a Year podcast, where Father Mike Schmitz reads through the catechism of the Catholic Church.
01:33 🍞 The Eucharist is a significant part of God's salvation story, prefigured in the Jewish tradition and given to us by Jesus, with bread and wine becoming Christ's body and blood through the Words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
- The Eucharist is an important part of the story of God's salvation, prefigured in the Jewish tradition and given to us by Jesus, and lived out in the life of the church.
- We thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to receive his body and blood at every Mass, and we pray for the grace to approach the Mass with transformed hearts.
- The signs of bread and wine become Christ's body and blood through the Words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, signifying the goodness of creation and the work of human hands.
- Bread and wine were offered in sacrifice in the old Covenant, and Jesus gave them new and definitive meaning in the context of the Eucharist.
05:26 🍞 The signs of bread and wine in the Eucharist fulfill Jesus's announcement at Capernaum and give the Passover its definitive meaning, pointing to the new wine that becomes the blood of Christ in the father's Kingdom.
- The sign of water turning into wine at Cana announces Jesus's glorification and the fulfillment of the wedding feast in the father's Kingdom, where the faithful will drink the new wine that has become the blood of Christ.
- Jesus instituted the Eucharist as a memorial of his death and resurrection, fulfilling what he had announced at Capernaum and giving his disciples his body and blood.
- Jesus gave the Jewish Passover its definitive meaning by celebrating the last supper with his Apostles, and the signs of bread and wine go all the way back to the gift of bread and wine given to us from the Lord.
08:42 🍞 The celebration of mass includes the mention of bread and wine as gifts from the Creator, connecting the sacrifice of Melchizedek to Jesus Christ as the ultimate high priest.
- During the celebration of mass, bread and wine are mentioned as gifts from the Creator, with a reference to the story of Melchizedek and Abraham in Genesis.
- The connection between the sacrifice of bread and wine by Melchizedek and Jesus Christ as the ultimate high priest is significant, with the old and new covenants both involving the offering of bread and wine in sacrifice.
10:44 🍞 Jesus fulfills the signs of bread and wine, gives himself to us through priests, the Eucharist divides and scandalizes disciples, prompting Jesus to ask the apostles if they will also leave.
- Jesus fulfills the signs of bread and wine through his miracles and the multiplication of the loaves, showing the importance of giving our gifts to Jesus.
- Jesus gives himself to us through the ministry of priests, who are ordained at the Last Supper to participate in the mediation of God's grace.
- The Eucharist is a stumbling block for some, as Jesus' announcement of it divided and scandalized the disciples, leading many to leave him.
- Jesus' disciples abandon him over his teaching on the Eucharist, prompting him to ask the apostles if they will also leave.
14:30 🍞 Receiving the Eucharist is receiving the Lord himself, and rejecting it is rejecting the gift of his love, as shared through a personal reflection.
- Receiving the Eucharist is receiving the Lord himself, and rejecting the Eucharist is rejecting the Lord himself, as it is the gift of his love.
- The speaker reflects on how he used to be indifferent to the gift of love in the Eucharist, sharing a story about Christopher West and his wife's father.
16:21 🍞 The Eucharist fulfills the Passover meal, giving definitive meaning to the Jewish Passover and anticipating the final Passover of the church in the glory of the Kingdom.
- A man cries during a wedding because he never knew love until that moment.
- The speaker reflects on the realization of the love of God through the words of Jesus at Mass.
- The Eucharist is the fulfillment of the Passover meal, giving definitive meaning to the Jewish Passover and anticipating the final Passover of the church in the glory of the Kingdom.
19:24 💬 God's love for us is shown in every mass, and we should take the opportunity to experience it.

Second Reading

In Ephesians 4:1-6, St. Paul urges the Ephesians to live in unity as one body, one Spirit, and one hope through Christ. This passage resonates with the Catechism’s teaching that “the Church is one because of her founder” (CCC, 813). As Catholics, we are called to maintain unity within the Church by respecting and loving one another, reflecting the harmony found in the Holy Trinity.

Real-life examples can help illustrate the significance of unity within the Church. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, churches worldwide adapted to virtual Masses to maintain community and worship together despite physical distance. This demonstrated a commitment to unity and faith, transcending geographical barriers.

Diversity of Gifts and Roles: Ephesians 4:11-12 highlights the various roles within the Church, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. The Catechism echoes this diversity, stating, “The unity of the body of Christ does not require a uniformity of gifts” (CCC, 914). Each member is called to contribute their unique gifts and charisms for the common good.

Unity and Maturity in Faith: St. Paul encourages believers to strive for unity and maturity in faith (Ephesians 4:13-15). The Catechism teaches that the Church’s unity is rooted in her “profession of one faith, received from the apostles” (CCC, 815). This unity is manifested through the shared bond of faith, sacraments, and worship among believers, leading to spiritual growth and development.

In the podcast Fr. Mike reflects on the unity within the Catholic Church despite its diverse liturgical traditions. This resonates with St. Paul’s message about the unity of the Body of Christ.

Unity in Diversity: Just as St. Paul encourages believers to live in unity as one body, the Catholic Church maintains a sense of universality and unity despite its diverse liturgical traditions. This showcases the power of the Holy Spirit in uniting the Church as one body.

Integrating Cultural Traditions: The diverse liturgical traditions within the Catholic Church serve as an example of integrating and purifying the authentic riches of various cultures, similar to how St. Paul emphasizes the diverse gifts and roles within the Church.

Unity in Mission: The common mission of the whole Church, as mentioned by Fr. Schmitz, parallels St. Paul’s message of unity in the Body of Christ. The shared goal of spreading the sacraments and faith contributes to the overall unity within the Church, despite its diverse liturgical expressions.

Diverse Forms of Holiness: Fr. Schmitz’s analogy of different fruits from the same tree grown in different soil resonates with St. Paul’s teaching about the diversity of gifts and roles within the Church. The unique expressions of liturgical traditions and holiness ultimately contribute to the overall beauty and strength of the Catholic Church.

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Catechism Cross-References

Eph 4:1-6

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FR. MIKE - Day 192: Unity in the Eucharist

The Catholic Church maintains beautiful unity and universality despite diverse liturgical traditions, with the diversity of liturgical traditions adding to its beauty and not taking away from its unity.

00:00 📖 Despite diverse liturgical traditions, the Catholic Church maintains beautiful unity and universality.
- Father Mike Schmitz discusses the liturgical diversity and unity found in the catechism of the Catholic Church.
- The Catholic Church has various liturgical traditions, but despite the diversity, there is a beautiful unity and universality within the church.
01:35 🙏 God is the source of unity in diversity, both in the world and in the church, and we pray for the Holy Spirit to unite us as one body.
02:58 📜 The Paschal mystery is celebrated in diverse forms across different liturgical traditions, enriching and complementing each other in fidelity to tradition and the common mission of the whole church.
04:19 🕊 The Roman Catholic Church integrates and purifies diverse cultural traditions through its liturgical diversity, including Latin, Roman, ambrosian, Byzantine, alexandrian, Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, and Chaldean rights.
- The church is capable of integrating and purifying the authentic riches of various cultures through its liturgical traditions, which include the Latin, Roman, ambrosian, Byzantine, alexandrian, Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, and Chaldean rights.
- The diversity of liturgical traditions within the Roman Catholic Church is remarkable, with many people belonging to different rights such as the Maronite, Chaldean, Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, and Byzantine.
05:54 🔥 The Catholic Church celebrates the sacraments in diverse ways, with the traditional Latin Mass holding a powerful and beautiful significance.
06:58 📖 The diversity of liturgical traditions within the Catholic Church adds to its beauty and does not take away from its unity, resulting from the church's mission to spread the sacraments to different cultures.
- The diversity of liturgical traditions within the Catholic Church adds to its beauty and does not take away from its unity, and experiencing different rights can provide a unique and enriching perspective.
- The diversity of liturgical traditions arises from the church's mission to spread the sacraments to different cultures, resulting in varied expressions of the same faith.
08:49 🌱 Different liturgical traditions are like different fruits from the same tree, grown in different soil but still the same species, leading to diverse forms of holiness and symbolism in the Church.
- Different liturgical traditions are like different fruits from the same tree, grown in different soil but still the same species.
- Different cultures have different liturgical expressions and traditions, leading to diverse forms of holiness and symbolism in the Church.
10:15 🌱 The church has unity despite diversity, like a tree grown in different soil.

Gospel Reading

The Catechism also highlights the importance of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, which connects to the Gospel reading of John 6:1-15. As the Catechism teaches, “By the consecration the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is brought about” (CCC, 1333). This celebration serves as a reminder of the continuous presence of Christ in our lives, guiding us towards a deeper relationship with God.

The Eucharist: The multiplication of the loaves and fish foreshadows the institution of the Eucharist, where bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. The Catechism states, “The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life'” (CCC, 1324). This miracle highlights the importance of the Eucharist in nourishing and sustaining the spiritual lives of believers.

Real Presence of Christ: In the Gospel, Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, and distributes it to the people. This action mirrors the words of institution spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, where He declares that the bread is His Body.

Fr. Mike emphasizes This resonates with the themes present in John 6:1-15, which recounts the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and its connection to the Eucharist.

Unity and Charity through the Eucharist: As Fr. Schmitz mentions, receiving Communion strengthens the bonds of charity and reinforces the unity of the Church. This echoes the message of unity conveyed in John 6:1-15, where people from diverse backgrounds gather to be nourished by Jesus.

The Eucharist as the Heart of the Church’s Life: Just as the multiplication of loaves prefigures the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Schmitz emphasizes the significance of the Eucharist as the heart of the Church’s life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) affirms that “the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC, 1324). This highlights the Eucharist’s role in nurturing the Church and its members.

Fulfilling God’s Desire to Feed His People: The Eucharist embodies God’s desire to feed and nourish His people, as demonstrated in the Old Testament stories, such as the manna in the wilderness and the multiplication of loaves. Fr. Schmitz underscores this connection, emphasizing the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and its role in fulfilling God’s plan.

The Passover Sacrifice and the Lamb of God: The miracle of the multiplication of loaves takes place in the context of the Passover, prefiguring the Eucharistic celebration as the new Passover meal. Fr. Schmitz’s reflection on Jesus as the true Lamb of God aligns with this theme, highlighting the redemptive purpose of Christ’s sacrifice.

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Catechism Cross-References

Jn 6:1-15

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Courtesy of Catholic Cross Reference Online

FR. MIKE - Day 194: Summary of the Sacrament of the Eucharist

The Eucharist is the heart of the church's life, allowing us to come into contact with Jesus, be strengthened by the Lord, and be prepared for eternal glory.

00:00 📖 The catechism of the Catholic Church explains the sacrament of the Eucharist, revealing God's plan for us and our identity in His family.
01:24 🙏 The Eucharist allows us to come into contact with Jesus, be strengthened by the Lord, and be prepared for eternal glory.
- The Eucharist is a sacrament that allows us to come into contact with Jesus, be strengthened by the Lord, and be prepared for eternal glory, and we should pray for the seeds of this knowledge to stay with us and bear fruit in our lives.
- Jesus is the living bread that came down from heaven, and those who eat his flesh and drink will live forever.
02:54 🙏 The Eucharist is the heart of the church's life, where Christ associates his church with his sacrifice, and only ordained priests can consecrate bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.
- The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the church's life, where Christ associates his church and members with his sacrifice, pouring out the graces of salvation, and it is a memorial of Christ's Passover and his presence in the Eucharistic sacrifice.
- Only ordained priests can consecrate bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, which is present in a real and substantial manner, and the Eucharist is offered for the sins of the living and the dead.
05:13 💬 Receiving communion strengthens the bonds of Charity, reinforces the unity of the church, and is a duty of adoration toward Christ.
06:30 🍞 Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, fulfilling God's desire to feed his people from the beginning of time.
- The Sacrament of the Eucharist is discussed in paragraphs 1406 to 1419, highlighting the importance of certain key points.
- Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, as he said so in the gospels, and God has always wanted to feed his people, from Adam and Eve to the Israelites in the wilderness.
08:25 🍞 The Eucharist represents the Passover sacrifice, with Jesus as the true Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
- The Eucharist is a representation of the Passover sacrifice, with Jesus being referred to as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
- John the Baptist points to Jesus as the true Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, fulfilling the sacrificial symbolism of the Passover lamb.
10:06 🍞 Jesus offers his body and blood for freedom and life, the Mass leads to the Eternal liturgical banquet in heaven where we participate in the sacrifice of the son to the father.
- Jesus, as the Lamb of God, offers his body and blood to give freedom and life, just as the lamb's blood and flesh in Exodus did for the Jewish people.
- The Mass is the fulfillment of the whole story, leading us to the Eternal liturgical banquet in heaven, where we get to participate in the great sacrifice of the son to the father, and God just wants to feed us.
11:53 🙏 The Eucharist is the heart of worship, with Jesus truly present in the bread and wine, leading us to adoration and bringing hope.
- The Eucharist is the heart of worship, with Jesus acting through the priest to offer the sacrifice, regardless of the priest's sinfulness, as long as the church intends it.
- The essential signs of the Eucharistic Sacrament are wheat bread and Grape Wine, and Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, leading us to a place of adoration and worship.
- The Eucharist is a sacrament that brings hope and there is always more to learn about God.
- Keep our eyes and ears open to the reality of God's presence in the Eucharist, and pray for God's grace and for each other.

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Doctrinal
Homily
Outlines

Kevin Aldrich

Doctrinal Homily Outlines

by Kevin Aldrich

Gift Giving

Central Idea: Self-giving
Doctrine: The exchange of spiritual gifts in the communion of the Church
Practical application: Ways to live the communion of the Church

God’s desire and our own deepest desire (if we are desiring aright) is communion. Communion literally means unity-with. Communion is the deepest friendship, resting on charity, which is willing the true good of the other. Some aspects of this communion are:

“Communion in the faith.The faith of the faithful is the faith of the Church, received from the apostles. Faith is a treasure of life which is enriched by being shared.” (CCC 949)

“Communion of the sacraments.. . . All the sacraments are sacred links uniting the faithful with one another and binding them to Jesus Christ . . . [and above all the Eucharist] . . . because it is primarily the Eucharist that brings this communion about.” (CCC 950)

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17th Sunday of Year B

Homiletic Directory