Early in his pontificate, Pope John Paul II devoted his teachings in his
Wednesday General Audience gatherings to what is now known as a
theology of the body. In this teaching, John Paul asked the Church
to reflect on the vocation of marriage, and to consider how spousal
love is meant to mirror the love of Christ and his Church (Ephesians 5.31-2). The new commandment of the Lord Jesus… to love one another as I have loved you (John 15.12)... is seen as man and woman surrender each to the other, in a committed and consecrated love of self-donation.
This notion of self-donation... the new commandment of the Lord Jesus... is witnessed today, on this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ... Corpus Christi. Today the Church remembers the Passover of the Lord, and the liberation of this new exodus, from sin and death into the Kingdom of God’s love. Let us rejoice in the gift of the Lord’s Presence, manifest in the breaking of the bread.
Early in his pontificate, Pope John Paul II devoted his teachings in his
Wednesday General Audience gatherings to what is now known as a
theology of the body. In this teaching, John Paul asked the Church
to reflect on the vocation of marriage, and to consider how spousal
love is meant to mirror the love of Christ and his Church (Ephesians 5.31-2). The new commandment of the Lord Jesus… to love one another as I have loved you (John 15.12)... is seen as man and woman surrender each to the other, in a committed and consecrated love of self-donation.
This notion of self-donation... the new commandment of the Lord Jesus... is witnessed today, on this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ... Corpus Christi. Today the Church remembers the Passover of the Lord, and the liberation of this new exodus, from sin and death into the Kingdom of God’s love. Let us rejoice in the gift of the Lord’s Presence, manifest in the breaking of the bread.
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If you have not read anything of this theology of the body, why not give it a try? The short book by Christopher West (Theology of the Body for Beginners) and Mary Healy (Men & Women are from Eden) are excellent beginning texts. These two books were part of a book club offering some months past. The small group of couples that read the books with me is the core group of a new ministry at SJN, Young Married Ministry. More about this exciting new ministry once the Dedication is completed!
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The Dedication of our new worship space is just a fewweeks away. Please plan to join Bishop Luis Rafael Zaramaon 24 June (7:00 pm), and assist him in dedicating our new church, to the greater glory of God... and for our joy. The celebration begins with a prayer at locked doors of the new worship space. Everyone stands in and around the plaza, awaiting the ritual opening of the doors by Bishop Zarama. Then, as the great crowd enters the new space and finds a seat, Bishop Zarama and our deacons will go throughout the worship space, blessing people and structure with holy water. Along with our four deacons, Deacon Terry Biglow, the architect of the new church, will vest and assist at Mass. What a liturgy we are about to experience! PLEASE mark down the 24th of June on your calendar. We’ll want to fill the new church and the plaza, with the joyful family of SJN. Many of the former pastors and parochial vicars and deacons that have served at SJN will be in attendance. Will you?
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The Vacation Bible School at SJN is just a couple of weeks away (14-18 June).
We are always in need of more volunteers (teens and adults) to assist us with our children. Please contact Mrs. Laura Todd in our RE office, if you might have some time to give... for the sake of our children.
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Did everyone get a copy of The Gifts of Art and Architecture, the booklet we have published that shows off the beauty of the new worship space and offers a theological meditation on the Divine Liturgy? If not, please pick up a copy in the parish office. By the way, we are looking for more sponsors for the new vestments we hope to have for the liturgies in the new church. This is a true need of ours. Please think about sponsoring one of the new vestments for our clergy.
Msgr. David Talley
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