The gospel story that we are proclaiming this weekend – the encounter of two disciples with the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus – is a particular favorite of mine. (I know, I have many favorite scriptures.) One of the reasons I like this one is that it illustrates the fact that Jesus wants to have a personal encounter with each of us. In my visit last week to the Year 1 and Year 2 Confirmation sessions, I emphasized that point with our young candidates. It’s true for them, it’s true for all of us, no mater what our age or state in life.
Jesus wants to befriend us, but he cannot unless we are open to a personal relationship with him. He does not force himself on us. Notice in today’s gospel story that Jesus approaches the two confused and disappointed disciples on the road and simply walks with them. He listens to them. Only after carefully listening does he try to help them understand what has taken place with the help of the Scriptures. He uses the Word of God to help them make sense out of their experience.
They are so intrigued by his explanations that they invite him to stay with them. They want to hear more. While they are sharing a meal, they come to recognize this stranger as the Lord Jesus. Their eyes are opened. They recognize him in the breaking of the bread.
He vanishes from their sight, but they are changed by the experience. They feel compelled to hurry back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples that they met the risen Lord on the road.
In many ways, this story is the story of every disciple. We slowly come to know the Lord as we walk the road of life. He walks with us even if we don’t recognize him. He helps us make sense out of life. We are enlightened by his Word in the Scriptures. We recognize him as we gather for the Eucharist, the breaking of the bread. We too feel compelled by this encounter to go out and share the Good News with others.
Our lifelong journey with the Lord is not always straight and smooth. Sometimes it is two steps forward and one step back. There are times when it is not obvious that the Lord walks with us. But he always does. Sharing our struggles with him in prayerful dialogue, listening to his Word and sharing in the breaking of the bread are always good ways to remind ourselves that the Lord never leaves us alone on our journey down the road of life.
Due to our Be Renewed Eucharist Initiative, you will hear special readings for Masses on the weekend of September 25-26 in all churches in the Diocese of San Diego. These are the readings that will projected on the screen in our church. For those who like to prepare in advance by looking at the readings at home, the following are the special readings for this weekend:
The beautiful story of the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus with the risen Jesus on Easter Evening has prompted many musical compositions. Here are two of the contemporary renditions. The first is by Bob Hurd. The second is the work of Michael P. Ward.
Be Renewed Eucharist Initiative
This week we will hear the third and final pre recorded homily that is a part of our diocesan Be Renewed Eucharist Initiative. If you missed the first or second homily that was given on previous weekends, you may view it by going to the diocesan website: sdcatholic.org/eucharistThe link is also available through our parish website.
Eucharist As Memorial
A very important and distinctive part of Catholic theology of the Eucharist is the belief that the Eucharist is a memorial not only of the Last Supper, but a memorial of the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord – the Paschal Mystery. In this short and succinct presentation, Dr. Tamra
Fromm presents the biblical basis for this important dimension of our eucharistic beliefs. The article appeared on the website of the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan.
During my years in the Philippines, I became acquainted with the artwork of a young man named Joey Velasco. He was a Filipino religious painter and sculptor who became well-known due to one of his paintings called Hapag ng Pag-asa (Banquet of Hope) which depicted Jesus Christ dining with street children. The scene is reminiscent of the Last Supper. I have a copy of this painting that hangs above my desk in my office.
The attached article tells the story of the painting and how Joey relates the Last Supper to the lives of Filipino street children. It is an example of the connection between the Eucharist and daily life.
The Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life.
Together we explore scripture that helps deepen our understanding of the different parts of the Mass. The study complements the Diocesan Be Renewed Eucharist Initiative
Six Tuesday evenings: October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 9 & 16
Choose your meeting space: In-person in the Church or via zoom call
Be refreshed and renewed learning with fellow parishioners.
Cost is $15; (cash or check payable to St. Patrick Church); booklets available at the parish office.
Sponsored by the St. Patrick Bible Study Team. Please Join Us & Bring a Friend
Unlocking the Mystery of the Bibleand Romans: The Gospel of Salvation
Our Wednesday morning Bible Study – Ruah Adonai Breath of God – will begin soon. This year’s themes are “Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible” and then “Romans: The Gospel of Salvation.” All are welcome. Click below for a full explanation.
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"Catholic Trivia”... not because they are trivial but because these might be things that not everyone knows. Test your knowledge by reading the five questions, remember your answers (or jot them down), then click the link below to find the answers.
Where does the pope live?
What is the outer vestment worn by the priest at Mass?
Who said: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to your will"?
Caiaphas' father-in-law also interrogated Jesus. What was his name?
The site on Calvary Hill where Jesus was crucified was known as Golgotha, meaning Place of the What?
If you have other members of your family or your friends who would like to be on our email list, just let me know or write to Mary McLain at mmclain@stpatrickcarlsbad.com We will be pleased to add them.
On this weekend we will not proclaim the readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Instead, we will use the readings designated as a part of the Be Renewed Eucharist Initiative.
First Reading
Isaiah 32: 15-18
The Spirit will be poured upon us.
Second Reading
Acts 2: 42-47
The community was one in the breaking of the bread.
Gospel Reading
Luke 24:13-35
Jesus appears to two disciples who are walking to Emmaus.
Background on the Gospel Reading
This week’s Gospel is taken from the Gospel of Luke and is one that we usually hear during the Easter Season. It shows us how the first community of disciples came to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. In such stories we gain insight into how the community of the Church came to be formed.
When we read today’s Gospel, we may be surprised to learn that these friends of Jesus could walk and converse with him at some length yet not recognize him. Again we discover that the risen Jesus is not always easily recognized. Cleopas and the other disciple walk with a person whom they believe to be a stranger; only later do they discover that the stranger is Jesus. We learn that the first community met and recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, just as we meet Jesus in the Eucharist.
We can imagine the feelings of the two disciples in today’s reading. They are leaving their community in Jerusalem. Their friend Jesus has been crucified. Their hope is gone. They are trying to make sense of what has occurred, so that they can put the experience behind them.
Jesus himself approaches the two men, but they take him for a stranger. Jesus asks them what they are discussing. He invites them to share their experience and interpretation of the events surrounding his crucifixion and death. When the two disciples have done so, Jesus offers his own interpretation of his crucifixion and resurrection, citing Jewish Scripture. In that encounter we find the model for our Liturgy of the Word—what we do each time we gather as a community for the Eucharist. We reflect upon our life experiences and interpret them in light of Scripture. We gather together to break open the Word of God.
In the next part of the story, we find a model for our Liturgy of the Eucharist. The disciples invite the stranger (Jesus) to stay with them. During the meal in which they share in the breaking of the bread, the disciples’ eyes are opened; they recognize the stranger as Jesus. In the Eucharist too we share in the breaking of the bread and discover Jesus in our midst. Just as the disciples returned to Jerusalem to recount their experience to the other disciples, we too are sent from our Eucharistic gathering. Our experience of Jesus in the Eucharist compels us to share the story with others.
40 Days for Life Campaign
19,198 lives have been saved since 2007! Help save babies by praying for an end to abortion during the upcoming 40 Days for Life campaign, Sep 22- Oct 31, 2021. Click https://www.sdcatholic.org/event/40-days-for-life/for more information and to sign up for vigil hours.
40 Días por la Vida
19,198 vidas se han salvado desde 2007! Ayuda a salvar vidas orando for el fin del aborto durante la campaña de los 40 Días por la Vida, Sep 22-Oct 31, 2021. Presiona https://www.sdcatholic.org/event/40-days-for-life/para más información y para participar en las horas de vigilia.
Respect Life Month Coming Up
Every October, we celebrate Respect Life Month. We consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. Pray for the life and dignity of the more vulnerable. See the letter from the US Bishops Conference below. Visit: respectlife.org/celebrate for more information.
Mes del Respeto por la Vida
En octubre, celebramos el Mes del Respeto por la Vida. Consideramos más profundamente el valor de cada vida humana y reflexionamos en cómo construir una cultura que proteja la vida desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural. Oremos por la vida y la dignidad de los más vulnerables. Visite:respectlife.org/celebrate
The Knights of Columbus Council 15076 will be sponsoring a Fall Spaghetti Dinner to be held October 9, 2021, 6PM at the St. Patrick’s Church Hall. Funds will benefit our own Shower of Blessings ministry. Ticket donations: $10 per person or $25 for a family of four. Tickets will be on sale after all the Masses on this weekend and next. Tickets are limited and no tickets will be sold at the door.
In Christ Alone
This popular praise and worship song was written 20 years ago. What began as a Protestant song has gained popularity across Christian denominations. This recording features one of the composers, Stuart Townend, leading the congregation in praising the strength that comes in Christ alone.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
“Acudían asiduamente a la enseñanza de los apóstoles, a la convivencia, a la fracción del pan y a las oraciones”. Hechos 2:42. Hace unas tres semanas, nuestro Obispo lanzo una Iniciativa en la Diócesis de San Diego, con el objetivo que todos los feligreses renovaran su entendimiento y amor a la Eucaristía. Esta semana concluimos las homilías en video que hemos visto en las pantallas grandes y celebramos Misa con lecturas especiales escogidas por nuestro Obispo. En la Segunda Lectura, (Hch. 2:42-47) de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, leemos la importancia para la primera Iglesia de reunirse todos los días, para mantener su unidad, orar, escuchar la enseñanza de los Apóstoles, y a la fracción de Pan. Miramos que nada era más importante para ellos. Ellos habían escuchado lo que Jesús dijo y enseño y querían ser fieles a Jesús, sabían que allí iban a encontrarse con Jesús. ¿Creemos esto nosotros? ¿Qué tan significante es la Eucaristía para nosotros? Hablando directamente, ¿Qué tan importante es la Eucaristía para ti? Esta pregunta es importante para que cada uno la reflexione y responda personalmente. ¿Es Jesús el #1 de tu vida? ¿Le confías todo lo que tienes? Oremos para que despertamos a la verdad, que lo que el mundo ofrece, es temporal y finito. Pero, Jesucristo en la Sagrada Hostia es Eternidad e infinito. El Sacramento que alimenta, anima, sana, fortalece…
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su meditación.
Detente
Hablemos de Pies con huellas
de Amor
Five Saints You Might Not Know
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize that holiness runs deep in the Hispanic culture. Here is an article that introduces us to five Hispanic saints that may be unknown to some.
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