Last week, we heard of the kingdom of God, a pearl of
great price, a treasure found in a field. We were asked to go
through our houses, our lives bringing forth both the old and the
new, the Law of Moses and the new covenant of Jesus. This
weekend, the signs become more ominous for Jesus with the
death of John the Baptist. Jesus’ time draws near. The people
pursued Jesus, they came up the mountain, seated in a grassy
field, comfortable, picturesque over-looking the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus says feed them yourselves. A boy offers up his meager
bag — five loaves and two fish. Jesus takes these simple things
offers – taken – blest –broken and given back. In Mass, we
come with our simple gifts of bread and wine, work of human
hands. Our gifts representing ourselves – offered – blest –
broken – a new life given back, a new, everlasting covenant.
We are filled beyond belief with Jesus’ promise to be
with us always. The Lord says, “All you who are thirsty,
come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive
grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink
wine and milk!”. A love always fresh, always new.
The Mass is this supreme act of sacrifice. In the Mass,
Jesus is here, in a Real Presence, as we gather, ‘where two or
more are gathered, I am with you’. Jesus is here in that Real
Presence when the Words of the Gospel and the Readings are
proclaimed. The Readings telling us of a God that is always
here, now, always merciful, always forgiving.
In Communion, we receive our Savior. As we go forth
from Mass, our work begins, our life in Christ starts. Sent
forward with our simple gifts, our time, treasure, and talents to
be workers in the vineyard. He put us where He needs us to be.
As small as we think our gifts are, Jesus knows what He want

to do. We cannot be separated from the love of Christ. In all
things we conquer overwhelmingly.