A Spiritual Communion

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time
In absence of the celebration of Mass, please join us in this prayer which unites us to Christ and to each other at Saint Hubert.

Opening Our Heart to God
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Lord, I know you are with me, always. I hunger and thirst for you.

To prepare my heart and soul for this time of spiritual communion, I first acknowledge my sins. 

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth, peace to people of good will!

Opening Prayer
God our Father and protector,
without you nothing is holy, nothing has value.
Guide us to everlasting life
by helping us to use wisely the blessings you have given to the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

The Word of God: The Words of Life
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072521.cfm

First Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44
Elisha the prophet feeds 100 people with 20 loaves of bread with even some left over.

Responsorial: Psalm 145
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
Paul urges us to “live according to the call we’ve received”.

Gospel: John 6:1-15
Jesus’ desire is to feed the crowd who have come to him to be fed with his teaching. He feeds the people physically by multiplying 5 loaves of bread and two fish. And there is plenty left over, which he asked to be collected so nothing was wasted.

A Reflection by Fr. Mike
When Jesus and the apostles were trying to figure out how to feed the large crowd of people, a boy was willing to help by giving what he had: five loaves of bread and two fish. Andrew said it was a nice gesture, but in the end what good was it. They had to feed 5000 people. But Jesus shows us that what he was offering was good enough. And from the kindness of the boy who was willing to share, Jesus multiplied what the boy gave so that every single person had more than enough to eat that day with 12 baskets of food left over.

Interestingly, we see a similar story in the first reading with Elisha the prophet.  That time, there were 100 people and 20 loaves of bread—but through God’s goodness it fed everyone, again with some left over so that nothing would be wasted. Elisha’s miracle wasn’t as dramatic as Jesus’, but it did foreshadow it.  What they both shared was a desire to help those in need: they shared what they had at their hands and with God’s blessing it was more than enough. Maybe that’s because it ultimately came from a simple desire to help people in need. 

Amazing things can happen we decide not to hoard what we have but to share it. It’s a way goodness can begin to multiply throughout this world. We supply what we can and give it to God. And then God blesses it and magnifies it so that goodness reaches where it needs to be felt.  There’s more than enough goodness to go around and God’s will is to let it flow.

Sometimes we think that to contribute or participate we don’t think we have enough. Or maybe we think what we have isn’t good enough, so we hold back. We throw up our hands saying something like, “What good is it? Why even bother.” But what inspires us, is that this kind of thinking didn’t stop that boy from offering what appeared to be nothing to help solve a big problem. His 5 loaves and 2 fish went a long way. What the readings inspire within us, is not to censor any desire to share what we do have—even if it’s a little, and especially if it is given in a spirit of living our faith.

Does this actually work? Yes! It’s not just a nice story from the bible, but is a principle for finding satisfaction and happiness in life. Sharing what we can of our gifts, talents, financial resources, time, effort, you name it, can make a difference.

Every month at Saint Hubert we bring in some food or a gift card to help feed our neighbors who can’t afford groceries. Maybe we bring in a couple of canned goods or a box of pasta. Others can (and do!) bring in bags and bags and bags of food, because they’re able to and want to. Each of us does what we can. We offer it as an act of faith and charity because we know when we feed someone in need, we’re feeding Christ.

Deacon Larry told me that through our drive last week, we once again filled the St. Aloysius van with food and supplies and $750 in gift cards, which will once again be able to stock their food pantry and just when they could use it. We each gave what we had—our 5 loaves and 2 fish—and look what we can do together. Goodness, kindness, care multiply beyond what we individually thought would be impossible. We stocked a food pantry once again—something this community does month after month.

It’s not just the food drive. Whenever we have an appeal to help financially support the mission of the parish—the work as Catholics we try to do together—we respond and respond generously. We don’t have to give what we don’t have; we give what we can—even if it may not seem like much—and it helps get us through. Every gift given from the heart, is just that: a gift.

Generosity is an amazing thing. When we share what we can, God seems to keep giving us more, maybe because he knows we’ll continue sharing it. And because we do, we find the inner feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment knowing that we’re participating in something good and worthwhile. Hoarding and holding on, when we could share but choose not to, tends to lead to emptiness. I just heard a great saying on a popular cliché: “I can have my cake and eat it too, with plenty left over to share.”

Today, Saint Paul inspires us also to look into the heart, and to share and give those qualities we have that can be given when we begin to see our lives as an extension of Christ’s life. Look after one other; be humble, be gentle, be patient with one another.  Put up with one another as each of us grows.  Sometimes it’s hard to live in the same house or the same Church with one another.  We can drive each other crazy.  But each of us is developing and growing and learning—all at a different pace.  We need to take some time and have the kind of patience to allow for growth. 

We can use our energy to bring our house or parish or Church together, instead of using our energy to separate and divide, which seems to be a popular approach these days.  As Paul encourages us: be united and go from there. Because when we do—what can multiply all around us is goodness, kindness, peace, joy, and charity.  And those are the very things that can feed the soul.

In other words, we don’t need a lot to make good things happen, we just need to go to Christ with what we have and our desire to share it. He will bless it and allow it to grow—not just in our own lives but with those we share it with.

We all have 5 loaves and 2 fish. What will we do with them?

Consider sharing some of your own perspectives or spend some time in personal reflection. When did you realize that a relationship with God is the most important relationship in your life?

All I Believe
As an alternative to the Nicene Creed, the Church also encourages Catholics around the world to profess the most ancient creed of our faith, The Apostle’s Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son Our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting.
Amen.

The Prayers of the Faithful
Good and gracious God, in union with my brothers and sisters at St. Hubert, we bring our prayers to you.

• For our Church, that those who hunger and thirst for meaning will find it in a sacramental life with Christ, we pray to the Lord.
• For our nation and community, that we may break down the walls of division that separate us to bring us closer to God and each other, we pray to the Lord.
• For a greater respect of human life in all its stages, for an end to racism, for solutions to address violence, and for peace between people and within nations, we pray to the Lord.
• For our grandparents and the seniors in our lives, that they may be valued for their wisdom and respected for their witness of faith to all of us, we pray to the Lord.
• For the sick and injured, for those awaiting test results or undergoing surgery, that they find comfort and healing through those caring for them, including Rosemary Paulin, Pat Aschom, Tonya Witney, Peggy Fort, Ed Frank, Jan Peterson, those struggling from COVID-19 and other serious illnesses, and for your intentions, we pray to the Lord.
• For those who have died, that they are welcomed into the joy of everlasting life with God, including Kathy Armour, John Semple, Rita Capadona, for all our deceased grandparents, and for those you would like to remember, we pray to the Lord. 
• For those mentioned in our book of Prayer intentions, for your own needs, and for those for whom we are offering Masses for this weekend: Dominador Corpin, Lizandra & Bertha Rojas as they celebrate 50 years of married life, Joseph Domsic, Jr., Jose Gavilan, Our Saint Hubert Parishioners, John Jerusis, and Rose & John Sclafani, we pray to the Lord.

May these prayers be answered according to your will, O God. We ask them all through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

A Spiritual Offering
During the Mass, we bring up gifts of bread and wine and thank God for them, because he gave them to us. Those gifts are then returned to us. God gives himself to us through Jesus Christ.  What do you offer to God today of yourself, that can be returned as a gift to others?  Who would you like to remember or offer this time of prayer for?

Longing for Communion
As we contemplate our desire to have Jesus Christ in our life, we prepare our hearts—knowing the angels and the saints are in communion with the One we long to be with.  Let us lift up our hearts to the Lord.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God
through Christ our Lord.

For in you we live and move and have our being,
and while in this body we not only experience the daily effects of your care,
we even now possess the pledge of eternal life.

For having received the first fruits of the Spirit,
through whom you have raised up Jesus from the dead,
we hope for an everlasting share in the Paschal Mystery.

And so, with all the Angels we praise you,
as in joyful celebration we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The Prayer that Unites Us
United with my brothers and sisters at St. Hubert and with Catholics around the world, with one voice we pray the prayer Jesus teaches us to pray together.
Our Father, who art in heaven…

A Time for Peace
Lord, Jesus Christ,
You said to your apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you”.
Please graciously grant peace to all of us,
to those in our family
and to everyone in our parish.
Allow us to be of one mind and heart.
Allow us to be an instrument of your peace.
(If praying with others, offer a sign of peace to one another.)

A Time for Spiritual Communion
As we long for the Eucharist, we long to be with Christ and share in his life.  Let us spend some moments now in prayer uniting our life to the life of Jesus Christ.  (You may even want to look upon a crucifix or hold it, or look upon an image or statue of Jesus Christ.)

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there,
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

A Prayer for Peace
O Lord our God, in your mercy and kindness, no thought of ours is left unnoticed, no desire or concern ignored. You have proven that blessings abound when we fall on our knees in prayer, and so we turn to you in our hour of need. Surrounded by violence and cries for justice, we hear your voice telling us what is required . . . “Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8). Fill us with your mercy so that we, in turn, may be merciful to others. Flood our path with your light as we walk humbly toward the future. Be with us, O Lord, in our efforts, for only by the prompting of your grace can we make progress. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastoral Note:
For those who may want to experience a more contemplative form of prayer, allow the Holy Spirit to pray within you. One way is to center ourselves by being conscious of our own breathing.  Slowly breathe in.  As you hold your breath for a second or two, picture Jesus Christ or even his name in your mind.  Then slowly breathe out. You can repeat this type of spiritual exercise until you are ready to close in prayer. This can be done as easily with children as with adults. It can be very comforting, peaceful and a way to find communion with God by feeling His presence.


A Closing Prayer
Lord,
As we seek this spiritual communion
and desire Your presence,
we pray, that You will protect us in these uncertain times.

Please give us the hope we need day by day,
strengthen our desire to help one another,
and keep our St. Hubert Parish community close to You.

We long to all be together again as a parish
to worship You at your altar of praise
as we did before.
In the meantime, please give us the strength
and connection we need
as we seek to be with you and one another.

We ask all our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Going Forth
Thank you, God, for this time we have shared.
I know you are with me.

Send me to glorify the Lord by my life.

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.