Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

19th Sunday In Ordinary Time (August 10, 2003)

Suggested Emphasis

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and will never thirst."

Salesian Perspective

When we plan a celebration and send out invitations, how often do we start with a list of "potential guests" and then start to "narrow it down", scratching off certain people for one reason or another; I haven't seen them in over a year, we don't talk anymore, they didn't invite me to their party. Or as much as we might like to invite everyone, sometimes there is just not enough room - someone has to go - someone has to be "cut".

The invitation to "come" to the Eucharist goes out to all of us - to all who hunger and thirst for Jesus. Perhaps at times our thoughts cause us to wonder, is that invitation really meant for ME? Is Jesus inviting ME to receive him in the Eucharist? It can't be me, I'm not holy enough, I'm not good enough, I'm not worthy to receive that gift and we end up taking our names off the invitation list ourselves!

Francis de Sales, as a student in Paris, received Holy Communion every week, which was considered rare in those days, the normal practice being once a month. When asked about this, Francis replied: "For the same reason for which I often consult my master and my tutor, Our Lord is my master in the sciences of the saints and I go to him often that He may teach me that science. I care little about becoming learned unless I also become holy."

In the same way, Francis advises all of us, to receive the Eucharist often - all of us: "the perfect, because being well disposed they would be very wrong in not approaching the source and fount of perfection; the imperfect that they may be able to justly aspire to perfection; the strong lest they become feeble, the feeble that they may become strong; the sick that they may be cured, those in good health that they may not fall sick". "Those who have not many worldly affairs ought to communicate often because they have the opportunity to do so, and those who have many worldly affairs should likewise because they have the need of it; and those who labor much and are heavily burdened should also eat solid food and often." (Introduction to the Devout Life, III, p.21)

I guess that includes all of us! Francis doesn't seem to put too many restrictions on who should receive the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist, and neither does Jesus! He simply says "Come" if you are hungry and thirsty for me and be satisfied.

Sounds like an "open invitation" to all of us! We made the guest list; we made the "cut". The gift of the Eucharist is for us all!

Fr. Marty Lukas, OSFS is the Vocation Director for the Oblates of
St. Francis de Sales Toledo/Detroit Province