After Elijah ate and drank, he lay down again, but the angel of the LORD came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!” He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked 40 days and 40 nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.
I don’t know of any priest or anyone else engaged in the life of professional ministry that has not had the experience of encountering a person who is struggling with a chemical addiction. Whether it be alcohol or a narcotic, those who are addicted are “hungry,” and they feed that hunger with that which is destructive to them and their families. Accompanied with that false feeding is also a depression and even a desire for one’s life, as he or she knows it, to end. As sad and hopeless as these situations seem, they are also ripe for what the Lord alone can provide.
In today’s first reading, Elijah is dejected and ready to give up when it seems his mission has failed, and his life is in danger. For 40 days and nights before reaching Horeb, Elijah had worked a great sign showing the Lord was God, had overthrown a veritable army of false prophets, and witnessed the end of a long, punitive drought that was imposed on the unfaithful Israelites. Despite this, his life was in danger, and it seemed the evil and infidelity in Israel was as strong and powerful as ever. The Lord takes the initiative and encourages him, sending him food and drink, persisting when Elijah was not ready to get up and continue to Mount Horeb to consult the Lord.
That nourishment and encouragement sustained him for a long journey, just as Our Lord, through the Eucharist, nourishes us and encourages us in the journey of life. Elijah needed encouragement to keep believing, and sometimes we need it, too. Why do we faithfully attend mass? Because we hunger for Christ. Why are we called to bring others to the Eucharist? Because they are hungry, broken and will “die” without the nourishment of the Lord.
Do you know someone whose addiction is leading them on a path of self-destruction? Invite him or her to Mass with you or accompany that person to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Are you finding “nourishment” in a chemical or another addictive behavior? Look at this Holy Eucharist anew and see it as the satisfaction for your hunger. As Pope Benedict XVI put it:
“In the sacrament of the altar, the Lord meets us, men and women created in God’s image and likeness, and becomes our companion along the way. In this sacrament, the Lord truly becomes food for us, to satisfy our hunger for truth and freedom. Since only the truth can make us free, Christ becomes for us the food of truth.” (Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, #2)
MISSION COOP PREACHING – Every year parishes in our diocese are asked to host a preacher to speak on behalf of a particular missionary effort or a mission diocese. This weekend our parish has been asked to host Fr. Martin Adu Gyamfi to preach on behalf of his home diocese of Konongo-Mampong in Ghana. This is also the home diocese of our former associate pastor, Fr. Collins. Fr. Martin is currently serving as an Associate Pastor in Our Lady of Grace in West Babylon. There will be a second collection at all masses with the proceeds going directly to the Diocese of Konongo-Mampong. Checks may be made to St. Rose of Lima with “Mission Collection” in the memo line.
FEAST OF SAINT ROSE OF LIMA – We will celebrate our parish’s patronal feast on Friday, August 23. We will begin with Mass at 5:00 pm. We will then enjoy a parking lot party with food trucks and music. The food trucks will be offering food and drinks for your purchase.
In addition, our former associate pastor, Auxiliary Bishop Andrzej Zglejszewski, will celebrate our 12:00 pm Mass on Sunday, August 18 in anticipation of our parish feast day.
UPDATE ON CHURCH DOORS – Approximately $109,000 was donated in support of our campaign to replace our church doors. Your generosity was outstanding and has enabled us to replace our aged and poorly functioning doors. We had hoped to have the doors installed by the end of this month. Due to some manufacturing delays, however, we are anticipating installation later in September.
Peace