EXPLORE THE SUNDAY GOSPEL
The Bread of Life Discourse
The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said,
"I am the bread that came down from heaven,
"
and they said,
"Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph?
Do we not know his father and mother?
Then how can he say,
'I have come down from heaven'?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Stop murmuring among yourselves.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent
me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets:
They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns
from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but
they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from
heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give is my flesh for
the life of the world."
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
St. Philomena (Feast Day August 11)
January 10, 291 – August 10, 304
It is said that St. Philomena revealed her story to three people who did not know one another and who resided in different parts of the world. These private revelations unveiled the story of St. Philomena’s life in great detail and were amazingly identical accounts. One of the revelations came to Sister Maria Luisa di Gesu. St. Philomena came to her and told her she was the daughter of a Greek king who converted to Christianity. When Philomena was 13 years old, she took a vow of consecrated virginity. After her father took his family to Rome to make peace, Emperor Diocletian fell in love with Philomena. When she refused to marry him, she was repeatedly subjected to torture. Yet, in the midst of this torture, God continued to miraculously comfort her and heal her. This infuriated the Emperor who finally had her beheaded. St. Philomena said to Sister Maria Luisa di Gesu, “My soul took flight towards my heavenly Spouse, who placed me, with the crown of virginity and the palm of martyrdom, in a distinguished place among the elect. That day was so happy for me. . .”
The young virgin willingly traded her earthly life for heavenly salvation and continues her work today promoting the virtues of purity and sanctity among the world’s youth and bringing the faithful closer to our Blessed Mother and Jesus Christ. Her name means “daughter of light” (Latin: fila luminis), and she is credited with countless miracles and intercessions since discovery of her tomb in the most ancient catacombs of St. Priscilla in Rome in 1802.
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
· In today’s Gospel reading, why were the Jews murmuring about Jesus?
· What do you think people do in heaven?
· How does today’s Gospel support our belief that the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus?
· St. Philomena was committed to living a holy life. What are some of the challenges of living a holy life today?
FAMILY FUN
Visit a Marian Statue
Visit a Marian Statue at a local parish or retreat center. Bring a bouquet of flowers and leave them there to honor our Blessed Mother. When there, ask Mary to intercede for any specific intentions. Remind children to turn to their heavenly mother in times of need and ask for her prayers.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Pineapple Rosemary Agua Fresca
The upcoming feast of the Assumption is also a harvest feast day. In many Catholic countries, it is the day the vineyards, herbs and plants are blessed. This wonderful Pineapple and Rosemary Aqua Fresca is perfect for the feast of the Assumption.
3 cups pineapple chunks
4 cups water divided
2 Tbsp. rosemary
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups pineapple juice
4 cup ice
pineapple chunks and rosemary sprigs for garnish
Combine pineapple chunks, 2 cups water and rosemary in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely liquified. Allow the rosemary to steep in the liquid for about 15 minutes. Strain into a large pitcher. Add remaining water, sugar and pineapple juice and ice to the pitcher. Stir to combine. Portion Agua Fresca in glasses and garnish with chunks of pineapple and rosemary sprigs.
From https://cookeatshare.com/recipes/pineapple-and-rosemary-aqua-fresca-789018/external
FAMILY PRAYER
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.
FAMILY CHALLENGE
Learn more about your ancestors this week and resolve to pray for these family members each day.
FUN FACTS
The Assumption celebrated
on August 15th refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary being assumed — body and soul
— into heaven at the end of her earthly life. As evidenced by the writings of
many early Church fathers, Christians have believed for more than a millennium
that the Blessed Virgin was assumed into heaven. In 1950, Pope Pius XII issued Munificentissimus
Deus, which officially defined the Dogma of the Assumption. This feast day
is a Holy Day of Obligation.
