​One of the Most Important Chapters in the Bible:

Reflection 1 John 6:1-15	Reflection 2 John 6:16-21	Reflection 3 John 6:22-29	Reflection 4 John 6:30-35
Reflection 5 John 6:35-40	Reflection 6 John 6:44-51	Reflection 7 John 6:52-59	Reflection 8 John 6:60-69

1. The mystery and history of the Eucharist.  How did the Lord prepare the world for this great mystery and how is it connected to the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross
2. The Eucharistic mystery as Christ giving Himself to us and we returning ourselves fully to Christ (how Holy Communion unites us and transforms us and how we should prepare ourselves to receive the Lord worthily
3. Our response to the gift of the Eucharist.  Practical steps on how to center our lives around the Eucharistic mystery.

• Where to read St. John’s Gospel Chapter 6 (The Bread of Life Discourse):
  In your Bible at home or here online
• Apostolic exhortation on the meaning of the  Eucharist by retired Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix.  Its title is Veneremur Cernui (Down in Adoration Falling), taken from the great 13^thcentury  hymn of praise to Jesus in the Eucharist often sung at benediction.
  
  The exhortation is divided into three main parts
  
  1. The  mystery and history of the Eucharist.  How did the Lord prepare the world for this great mystery and how is it connected to the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross
  2.  The Eucharistic mystery as Christ giving Himself to us and we returning ourselves fully to Christ (how Holy Communion unites us and transforms us and how we should prepare ourselves to receive the Lord worthily
  3. Our response to the gift of the Eucharist.  Practical steps on how to center our lives around the Eucharistic mystery.
  • Eight reflections by Fr. Reutter on John 6 [You already have these on the website]

 

Some Videos from July 2024 National Eucharist Congress in Indianapolis

Fr. Mike Schmitz – (Short) The moment of the consecration 

Fr. Mike Schmitz (Short) What is the point of the Mass? 

Fr. Mike Schmitz – full speech 

Mr. Chris Stefanick – full speech – Personal testimony and the power of the Mass

 

Fr. Reutter’s Homily Notes

Based on the O Sacred Banquet [O sacrum convivium] prayer – one homily for each of the five parts of the praryer

Click on the title for the homily notes and the date for the corresponding Bible reading from John 6] 

1. O sacred banquet! [July 28^th – 17^th Sunday in ordinary time]
2. In which Christ is received (as food), [August 4^th – 18^th Sunday]
3. The memory of His Passion is renewed, [August 11^th – 19^th Sunday]
4. the mind is filled with grace [August 18th – 20^th Sunday]
5. and a pledge of future glory is given to us [August 25th  – 21^st Sunday]

• Some good books articles and spiritual reading to help understand John 6
  1. Books
     • Five loaves and Two Fish by Francis Xavier Cardinal van Thuan.  Book by a Vietnamese cardinal cruelly imprisoned and tortured by the Communists for 13 years who found hope in his secret celebration of the Eucharist
     • Walter Ciszek, S.J., He Leadeth Me. The story of a Jesuit priest from Pennsylvania imprisoned for years on the false charges of being a spy and deprived of the sacraments.  He talks about praying the prayers of the Mass from memory and his longing to be able to celebrate the holy Mass once again.
     • Praying in the Presence of Our Lord: Prayers for Eucharistic Adoration. Edited by the late Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
     • NOTE: OSV press which published above has a whole series of these back for adoration prayers, especially through the lens of some of the great saints and their Eucharistic devotion. You should be able to find one that matches your particular devotions.  Examples: Praying in the Presence of Our Lord …. With St Thomas Aquinas; for the Holy Souls; With St. Padre Pio; With Mother Teresa; with the Saints; With Fulton J. Sheen; with Dorothy Day etc.
• Articles
  • Scott Hahn very short written reflection on John 6 and related
  • Scott Hahn: how to get beyond the routine of the Mass and get the most out of Mass (audio) [Note: good content but sound quality not consistently very good]
• Some items on formed.org platform (contact parish office if need to know how to sign up)
  • Scott Hahn, Answering Common Objections to the Eucharist (audio talk)
  • Bishop Robert Barron. Some finer points of the theology of the Mass including what transubstantiation” means (audio talk)
  • How to explain the Eucharist to Little Children (video)
  • Eucharist as presence, sacrifice and communion with Dr. Edward Sri and others. (Biblical roots of the Eucharist, the Real Presence of the Eucharist; Eucharist as Sacrifice; Eucharist as Communion; how to prepare for the Eucharist and pray after receiving)  (video)