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Home , Albert of Trapani, Eusebius of Vercelli, John Vianney, Peter Julian Eymard, Pope Sixtus III

Florian Under the Care of the Discalced Carmelite Friars 1233 South 45 Street, West Milwaukee, WI 53214-3615

August 1, 2021 ~ Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH STAFF WEEKEND MASSES Under the Care of the Discalced Carmelite Friars Saturday (Anticipated) ...... 4:00 p.m. Phone ...... 414-383-3565, extension 2 Sunday ...... 8:00 a.m. Email ...... [email protected] DAILY MASSES (in the Main Church at this time) Maintenance: Rivest M, T, Th and F ...... 5:00 p.m. Secretary: Jacqueline Wick followed by Euch. Ad. & Ben...... until 6:45 p.m. ST. FLORIAN OFFICE Wednesday ...... 8:00 a.m. 1210 South 45 Street, West Milwaukee, WI 53214-3614 followed by Euch. Ad. & Ben...... until 9:30 a.m. Phone ...... 414-383-3565, ext. 0 Saturday ...... 8:00 a.m. Fax ...... 414-383-2708 with Confessions at ...... 8:30 a.m. Email ...... [email protected] Evening before Holy Day (Anticipated) Website ...... www.stflorian.org ...... 7:00 p.m. (No 5:00 p.m. Daily on Anticipated Holy Days) PARISH OFFICE HOURS Holy Day ...... 8:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (No 5:00 p.m. Daily Mass on Holy Days) (The Parish Office is closed on Fridays & Holidays.) (Daily Masses or Holy Day Masses subject to change.) PASTORAL COUNCIL Chairperson: Sue Jens ...... 414-328-4042 CONFESSIONS - (in the Main Church) Vice Chair: Lucy Karaba ...... 414-671-1888 Saturday ...... 8:30 a.m. Trustee/Secretary: Russell Miller ...... 414-671-2385 or also by appointment. Please call the Parish Office. Trustee/Treasurer: Sandy Kania ...... 414-672-0364

MUSIC DIRECTORS MARY QUEEN OF CATHOLIC ACADEMY Joseph Carpenter - 4:00 p.m. Sat. choir ...... 414-430-3425 (our Parish Cluster School) • 414-476-0751 Diane Bersch - 8:00 a.m. Sun. choir ...... 414-541-8109 1227 South 116 Street • West Allis, WI 53214 Nicholas Lee, Principal • Email: [email protected] CHRISTIAN FORMATION OFFICE School Website: mqsca.org Within St. Rita Parish, 2318 South 61 Street , West Allis, WI 53219 Email for Registration Information: [email protected] High School/Confirmation Program RCIA-Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIC-Rite of Christian Initiation of Children “Please remember St. Florian Parish in your will.” Contact the DRE - Director of Religious Education, Barbara Krieger ...... 414-541-7515, ext. 16 said to them, “Amen, FUNERAL PLANNING amen, I say to Please contact Fr. as soon as possible you, it was not to make funeral arrangements. who SACRAMENTS gave the bread Baptism from heaven; Parish registration and parental instruction required. my Father Please contact the parish office. gives you the Marriage true bread Please arrange for a date and instructions at least from heaven. six months in advance at the parish office. For the bread Parish registration is required. of is that which comes Anointing of the Sick and/or Last Rites down from Please contact Fr. Elijah at the Parish Office. heaven and PARISH MEMBERSHIP gives life to Each family or single adult 18 years old or older the world.”

living at home or alone is invited and expected to be ~ John 6:32-33 registered in our parish family at the parish office. Please call the parish office to register. The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Florian Parish - August 1, 2021 July 31, 2021 Readings for the week of August 1, 2021

through Sun: Ex 16:2-4, 12-15/Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54 [24b]/ August 8, 2021 Eph 4:17, 20-24/Jn 6:24-35 Mon: Nm 11:4b-15/Ps 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 [2a]/ Sat., July 31 - St. Ignatius of Loyola, Mt 14:13-21 8:00 a.m. † JoAnne Gannon Tues: Nm 12:1-13/Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13 [cf. 3a]/ - Anticipated 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2, 10-14

4:00 p.m. † Justin & † Alice Cesar Wed: Nm 13:1-2, 25—14:1, 26-29a, 34-35/Ps 106:6-7ab, Sun., August 1 - The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 13-14, 21-22, 23 [4a]/Mt 15:21-28 8:00 a.m. The Parishioners of St. Florian Thurs: Nm 20:1-13/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 [8]/Mt 16:13-23

Mon., August 2 - St. of , Bishop; and Fri: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 [1a and 9a]/ St. Peter Eymard, Priest 2 Pt 1:16-19/Mk 9:2-10 5:00 p.m. In Honor of the Agony in the Garden of Sat: Dn 6:4-13/Ps 18: 28, 3-4. 47 and 51/Mk 17:14-20 Gethsemene for Barbara Next Sun: 1 Kgs 19:4-8/Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [9a]/

Tues., August 3 - Weekday Eph 4:30—5:2/Jn 6:41-51 5:00 p.m. Unborn Babies WHY DO WE DO THAT? — Wed., August 4 - St. , Priest CATHOLIC LIFE EXPLAINED 8:00 a.m. † JoAnn Tomm

Thurs., August 5 - The Dedication of the Basilica Question: What can I do to help our family of St. Mary Major practice our faith each day? 5:00 p.m. † Palm Answer: Some families practice their religion together as Fri., August 6 - The Transfiguration of the Lord just another event on their schedule: go to church, observe 5:00 p.m. Carmelite Perpetual Mass Union Lent, help at the parish picnic, go to a meeting, volunteer Sat., August 7 - St. Sixtus II, , and Companions, Martyrs; time, make your confession, use your envelope... But the St. Cajetan, Priest; BVM; and focus needs to be on who we are—God’s people, St. , Priest in relationship with Him, loved, forgiven, and redeemed, 8:00 a.m. † and called to live and proclaim the Gospel. Our awareness

- Anticipated 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time of God’s presence and our sense of mission are supported 4:00 p.m. The Parishioners of St. Florian by the daily rituals, celebrations, and traditions that help us

Sun., August 8 - The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time stay focused. Sharing our faith strengthens us and clarifies the beliefs and values of Christian living. 8:00 a.m. Romaine & † Jerry Kaiser Daily family practices include time for prayer—before ETERNAL FLAME meals, before bed, before important meetings and activities.

July 31 - August 6, 2021 Attend Sunday Mass together and discuss the homily afterward. Create family celebrations for holy days and In loving memory of: holidays. Make religion a regular part of your discussions. † Beverly Brzycki Include others, especially the elderly and the less fortunate, in your activities and charitable efforts. By applying the CALENDAR RAFFLE WINNER virtues of faith, hope, and love to each day, faith becomes part of who your family is. It influences how you act July 27, 2021 towards others, what you value, and how mindful of God you are. Faith is the leaven of life that helps all of us rise to $25 - Lucas Brisingamen our calling and dignity as God’s people. EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP — RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS Practicing Graciousness in the Desert — Looking back over my journey of parenthood, I know there were days when I traveled the extra mile for my children. I made their toast the way they like it, let them play in the park an extra ten minutes, or let them go to the movies with their friends and I finished up the chores on my own. And then, it happened: the attitude. The request for the smallest thing from one of them is met with disdain or bewilderment.

Sometimes you can be made breathless with the ingratitude of another person who takes so much and with so little shame, only to scoff at the idea that they, too, give even the smallest amount.

But if we’re being honest with ourselves, we will admit that we do the exact same thing to God. Haven’t we all been the Israelites in the desert at one point or another? God has parted our Red Sea in some way. He’s led us out of some great trial, given us some great blessings. But then we run into a little resistance somewhere along the way and we throw up our hands. How could you do this to us, Lord? How could you ask this of us? No, I can’t go any further. No, I won’t do any more.

Persisting in the blindness to the many ways God continues to protect us is nothing short of a temper tantrum. It robs our Everyday Stewardship of its graciousness, of our ability to accept with joy the trials of life because we are also constantly aware of its blessings. ~ Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Florian Parish - August 1, 2021

In August, Please Pray For . . .

Sat., July 31 - St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest Patrick Barnes Fr. Larry Russ Miller 8:00 am Mass Catherine Becker Frankovich, OFM Netterfield Family 8:30 am Confessions Donald Fr. Ralph-Elias Katherine Papa 11am-12pm Visitation for Shirley and Janet in Church Czeszynski Haddix, OCD Pat Piazza 12:00 pm Funeral Mass for Shirley Sidoff and Ralph & Marlene Jeff Huber Mary Priewe Janet Barsch in Church Daniels Helen Guszkowski Elizabeth Reineck

Sat., July 31 - Anticipated 18th Sunday in Ord. Time Demos Joyce Johnson Lynn Sheng 4:00 pm Mass Claudia Derringer Ruth Kressl Edie Wurcer Gregg & Susan Elizabeth Meier Gloria Zelazek Sun., August 1 - The Eighteenth Sunday in Ord. Time Dufek Betty Michalowski Bernie Zimney 8:00 am Mass

Mon., August 2 - St. Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop; and LIVE THE LITURGY — St. , Priest INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK 5:00 pm Mass 5:30-6:45 pm with Benediction When we lose our ability to trust, we become afraid. When we are afraid, we may begin to grumble and question Tues., August 3 - Weekday whether where we are is where we need to be. For us who 5:00 pm Mass have faith, we even question whether God is who God says 5:30-6:45 pm Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction He is. Trust is so important to our success on our journey. Wed., August 4 - St. John Vianney, Priest Often, the road of our lives can become a bit treacherous. 8:00 am Mass We may find ourselves feeling more unsettled than 8:30-9:30 am Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction comfortable and less fulfilled than we would like to be. Thurs., August 5 - The Dedication of the Basilica As much as we try, the pieces of our puzzle don’t quite fit of St. Mary Major together as they ought. We wonder if we will ever 5:00 pm Mass experience happiness again. Then, something reminds us 5:30-6:45 pm Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction that God is very much present in this mess we call life.

Fri., August 6 - The Transfiguration of the Lord God is still bringing hope out of despair and life out of 5:00 pm Mass death. After all, God is the true bread that comes down 5:30-6:45 pm Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction from heaven to give life. All that is necessary is for us to

Sat., August 7 - St. Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, trust in this truth, even when we may be lacking in some of Martyrs; St. Cajetan, Priest; BVM; life’s essentials. The God who gives life is the same God and St. Albert of Trapani, Priest who sustains it. He is also the same God who assures us 8:00 am Mass that we will not perish. 8:30 am Confessions THANK YOU VERY MUCH Sat., August 7 - Anticipated 19th Sunday in Ord. Time 4:00 pm Mass With your donations, the collection from the Poor Boxes, the cash received from Sun., August 8 - The Nineteenth Sunday in Ord. Time recycling the Aluminum Cans, and 8:00 am Mass a donated Pick ‘N Save Gift Card, we sent a check for $444.00 and MQSCA NEWS a $20.00 Pick ’N Save Gift Card to the Why choose a Mary Queen of Saints education? St. Vincent de Paul Conference this week.

We know that parents are the first teachers of their From the Poor Boxes we received $397.00, children. Together with God we work as partners the Aluminum Cans we received $47.00, and in every student’s education. This partnership forms $20.00 in a Pick ‘N Save Gift Card. a community, united in the belief that Christian values and excellent academics will best prepare a child for the future. The Poor Boxes are in the back of the Church on both sides by the side aisles. We have created an environment where families become immersed into the MQSCA school community. The Aluminum Can collection bins are at It is our mission to “make a difference” the bottom of the stairs on both sides of the Church. in the lives of students, parents and the world! Keep bringing in your aluminum of any kind, it really adds up. Monday, August 23 is our first day of school. Those wishing to donate a food gift card, That day will be here faster than you can imagine. remember we sell SCRIP, and MQSCA is a K3-8th grade school and could have more those purchases help St. Florian’s too. families join our school community. If you are looking for Thank you very much. an excellent Catholic school to enroll your children, please call us at 414-476-0751 with any questions, to schedule a tour or meet Nicholas Lee, the new principal this year. St. Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop — August 2 — Born to a pious family – his father died a martyr. When Eusebius was young, he was baptized in , Italy by Pope Saint Eusebius. His mother, Saint Restituta, died a martyr in her old age, and his sister Eusebia became a nun and Mother Superior of a monastery in Vercelli, Italy that Eusebius founded. Eusebius studied in Rome; one of his fellow seminarians was the future Pope Saint Liberius. Eusebius was ordained priest and lector in Rome. Chosen as the first Bishop of Vercelli, Italy, he was consecrated on 16 December 340 by Pope Saint Julius I.

As bishop, Eusebius lived with and followed the same discipline as his . He attended the synod of , Italy in 355. He was exiled for eight years by emperor Constantius to Palestine and Cappadocia for his strong opposition to ; he spent part of the time in prison, and as soon as he returned, he began preaching against Arianism. Friend of Saint , he attended a synod organized by him in Alexandria. A profilic writer according to his contemporaries, none of his works have survived. May have been martyred by Arians, but reports vary; many consider him a martyr as he may have died as a result of his sufferings in exile. Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-eusebius-of-vercelli/ St. Peter Julian Eymard, Priest — August 2 — Born in La Mure d’Isère in southeastern , Peter Julian’s faith journey drew him from being a priest in the Diocese of in 1834, to joining the Marists in 1839, to founding the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856.

In addition to those changes, Peter Julian coped with poverty, his father’s initial opposition to Peter’s vocation, serious illness, a Jansenistic overemphasis on sin, and the difficulties of getting diocesan and later papal approval for his new religious community.

His years as a Marist, including service as a provincial leader, saw the deepening of his Eucharistic devotion, especially through his preaching of Forty Hours in many . Inspired at first by the idea of reparation for indifference to the , Peter Julian was eventually attracted to a more positive spirituality of Christ-centered love. Members of the men’s community which Peter founded alternated between an active apostolic life and contemplating Jesus in the Eucharist. He and Marguerite Guillot founded the women's Congregation of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament.

Peter Julian Eymard was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1962, one day after Vatican II’s first session ended. Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-peter-julian-eymard St. John Vianney, Priest — August 4 The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major — August 5 Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, a French parish Priest, born in 1786 First raised at the order of in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian and died on August 4, 1859. As a basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the youth he and his affirmed Mary’s title as Mother of God in 431. Rededicated at that time to the family were forced to Mother of God, St. Mary Major is the largest church in the world honoring God travel a great distance through Mary. Standing atop one of Rome’s seven hills, the Esquiline, it has to attend Mass since survived many restorations without losing its character as an early Roman basilica. its celebration was Its interior retains three naves divided by colonnades in the style of Constantine’s prohibited in France era. Fifth-century mosaics on its walls testify to its antiquity. during that period in history. St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal churches in memory of the first centers of the Church. St. John Lateran As a newly ordained represents Rome, the See of Peter; St. Paul Outside the Walls, the See of Priest, Jean Vianney was sent to a small Church in the remote French Alexandria, allegedly the see presided over by Mark; St. Peter’s, the See of hamlet of Ars. By his saintly Constantinople; and St. Mary’s, the See of , where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her later life. example in lifestyle, his inspired preaching, and undiminished One legend, unreported dedication to pastoral ministry, before the year 1000, gives especially in the Sacrament of another name to this feast: Penance, Jean Vianney brought souls Our Lady of the Snows. to Christ and eventually the entire community was radically According to that story, transformed. News of his ministry a wealthy Roman couple spread and people from around the pledged their fortune to world sought his counsel. As many the Mother of God. as 20,000 pilgrims a year traveled to In affirmation, she Ars, desiring to Confess to the Curé produced a miraculous who spent long hours in the summer snowfall and Confessional each day. told them to build Jean Vianney was canonized in 1925. a church on the site. His incorrupt body lies in a glass The legend was long celebrated by releasing a shower of white rose petals casket above the main in the from the basilica’s dome every August 5.

Basilica of Ars. Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/dedication-of-saint-mary-major-basilica Source: http://www.stjohnvianney.org/ welcome/our-patron-saint/ Image Source: , Rome | photo by Gary Ullah from UK The Transfiguration of the Lord — August 6 — Jesus Christ took three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John, up on a mountain, where Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus was transfigured before them; His face and clothes becoming white and shining as light, and a voice came out of heaven saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Mk 9:2-13; Mt 17:1-13; Lk 9:28-36).

On August 6th, the Church celebrates the Transfiguration of the Lord as a major feast day. The Transfiguration is a theophany — a manifestation of God — showing Christ’s divinity through the display of His uncreated, divine light. This dates back to before 1000 A.D. in the Eastern .

It was not widely accepted in the Western Church until 1457 when Callistus III instituted it in remembrance of the victory gained over the Turks at Belgrade on July 22, 1456. News of the declaration reached Rome on August 6th, and the date of the Feast of the Transfiguration was set as a thanks offering. Source: https://catholicexchange.com/transfiguration-of-our-lord St. Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs St. Cajetan, Priest — August 7 — Cajetan was ordained priest in — August 7 — Many early Christians were 1516. He left the papal court and dedicated himself entirely to the martyred by the Roman service of the Lord. With his own hands he cared for the sick. Empire, including Such zeal did he show for the salvation of his fellowmen that he was surnamed the "huntsman for souls." the third-century Pope St. Sixtus and several St. Cajetan often prayed eight hours daily. While attending the other members of the Christmas celebration at St. Mary of the Crib, he is said to have been Church of Rome. Sixtus given the grace of receiving from Mary the was elected Bishop of Rome (Pope) in 257; that Child Jesus into his arms. St. Cajetan founded same year the Emperor Valerian issued a decree in 1524 a community of priests who were to lead an apostolic life. They were to look with forbidding Christians to hold assemblies disdain all earthly belongings, (thereby making it impossible for them to accept no salaries from the faithful; to celebrate Mass legally). only from that which was freely donated Twelve months after his election, Sixtus was were they allowed to retain the means of livelihood. arrested while addressing a gathering of Christians in a cemetery outside Rome (for the He founded a bank to help the poor and offer early Church could not yet legally possess its an alternative to usurers (loan sharks). It later own buildings). Four were also became the Bank of Naples. arrested, including St. Lawrence (August 10). His concern for the unemployed, giving them the necessary financial help in their time of Sixtus and his companions were put to death by need, made him their patron. the sword; Roman Christians buried him in the Source: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/ nearby cemetery of St. Callistus (named after view.cfm?id=1318 another Bishop of Rome who was himself martyred in 222). St. Sixtus was one of the most CATHOLIC venerated martyrs of the early Roman Church. QUOTE Source: https://catholicexchange.com/st-sixtus-ii-and St. Florian is pleased to give -companions-martyrs you a free subscription to DISCALCED CARMELITE SAINT formed.org.

St. Albert of Trapani, Priest – August 7 Discover all the best Catholic content in one Albert degli Abbati was born at place. Entertaining movies, Trapani, Sicily, enlightening programs, in the thirteenth inspiring talks, and a great century, and selection of popular ebooks entered the — all just a click away! Carmelite Order as a youth. He became It’s easy to get started. renowned as a Register today at: fervent preacher of FORMED.org/signup the Gospel and a worker of miracles. • Enter our parish zip code or He was Provincial of Sicily in 1296, and died at name to select our parish , probably in 1307, with a reputation for purity and prayer. • Enter your name and email

Source: https://ocdfriarsvocation.org/about-us/ Enjoy all the offerings FREE. discalced-carmelite-proper-calendar/august/ COMMUNITY AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Annual Back to School SACRED HEART Supply drive is on! CHURCH FESTIVAL This annual giving event dates back to the time of Br. Booker Ashe, one of our IS BACK! founders. You can make a gift one of several ways to this year's campaign: Sunday, 917 N. 49th St.

• You can make an online gift here: August 1, 1/2 Block School Supply Drive | Capuchin Community Services. North of 2021 Wells Street in • You can take the list below to the store and then drop 10 AM - 3 PM new school supplies off at the Capuchin Community Milwaukee Service's House of Peace, 1702 West Walnut Street, • Walkup and pickup your food, then eat Milwaukee, WI 53205, Monday-Friday, outdoors under our tent or picnic grounds 8:30 a.m. - Noon; or 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. at the 17th Street door located at the U-drive. • Enjoy games, cultural program, music and outdoor bar with friends and family

Backpacks for K-8 grades Scotch Tape • Croatian Sausage, brats, hamburgers and cevaps Child Safety Scissors Calculator available for purchase the day of festival Loose-leaf Paper Kleenex #2 pencils, pkg. Crayons Silent Auction is back too! Colored Markers Hi-Lighters More info at: SacredHeartMilwaukee.org 3-ring binder Ruler Pink Eraser Glue Sticks & Index Cards Elmer's Glue Spiral Notebooks Dry Erase Markers Ballpoint Pens Pencil box or pouch Combination Lock Ear Buds Construction Paper Colored Pencils Pencil Sharpener Flash Drives Pocket Folders Graph Paper

• Or you can use one of our online gift registries to purchase school supplies. They'll be delivered directly to us. Use the buttons below to shop at Target or Amazon for new school supplies.

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Donations are needed by Friday, August 13, 2021.

Thank you for helping us to prepare the children for a successful school year! Sunday NATURAL HOME CLEANING Life can be hectic and we are here to help. Please call PURE CLEANERS LLC at Holy Hill for a FREE estimate @ 414-651-2478. We look forward to hearing from you : )

Welcome Circles of Support — Monday, August 2

Do you have a loved one who is incarcerated? You are not alone. We offer circles of support in a safe setting for you and released formerly incarcerated individuals. We meet virtually on the 1st Monday of the month from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. If you have questions or are interested, contact Amanda Smit at Project Return. Dr. Tim Gray, President of the Augustine Institute, will lead us through some of his Call or text 414-418-7312 favorite Psalms in his next FREE to register. webinar. Grab your ESV-Catholic Edition and get ready to dig into the St. Jude Thrift Shop, Psalms like never before. Dr. Gray will 822 Glenview Avenue, Wauwatosa share practical ways to use the Book of Psalms for daily meditation. This Bible The store will be open study is a free sneak peek of our monthly Wednesday, August 4 Mission Circle Webinar Series. from

Join us on 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, August 5 at 10 a.m. MT. Families in need are Register for free today welcome to call the store to secure your spot live or for an appointment if they to receive a recording of the webinar. are not able to shop during these regular hours. Register here. For more information, Brought to you by: please call 414-659-9513

Augustine Institute or go to: Any questions regarding the trip can be 6160 South Syracuse Way www.stjudeparishwauwato directed to Nancy Kerns at Greenwood Village, CO 80111 sa.org [email protected]. GOSPEL MEDITATION — ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE “You cannot see the forest for the lives satisfy us. Even the people who Then, we learn to trust. It is when we trees” is a widely known saying that can witnessed Jesus feed the five thousand cease trusting that we start to become bring wisdom to our understanding of got confused and distracted. It felt good afraid, uncertain, apprehensive, and our journey. Often, our sight becomes when thousands of people were able to doubtful, and overly self-concerned. limited to what is immediately before eat. They wanted to know what they We even start to grumble. God has our us. We lose touch with lessons and could do to get this to happen again! back. That is the essential powerful experiences from the past and promises But Jesus quickly reminds them that this message of the living bread come down and hope for the future. As human is not the point of this sign. As much as from heaven. God, who is alpha is also beings, we have the privilege of being the now time of our lives is of concern, omega, the beginning and the end, and able to choose things. What I like and it is not what is ultimately important. has everything in between in his care as don’t like, want, and don’t want can be We need to learn the difference between well. A woman once remarked that her major preoccupations of our minds and being and doing, drawing more strength most powerful God moment happened hearts. Our preferences and desires from who we are and who God is rather when she and her husband cuddled with begin to define us more than the simple than what is happening around us and their new baby for a time. Without fact of our being. Who we are matters the choices we can make. Jesus is the exchanging words and using only the more than what we are or what we have. true bread that came down from heaven. affection communicated through sight If we don’t move beyond the external Jesus is the very incarnate presence of and touch, they rested in being with and superficial stuff to what really is of God who sustains life and assures us each other. This brought them to the essence, we risk becoming very that we will not perish. This is not easy sacred, where they realized that a unsettled, disorientated, angry, and to understand and feel. We have to greater Being was with them. It was unhappy. We fail to see the bigger practice being in the presence of real. They knew that they were part of picture of hope and promise that lies ourselves, others, creation, and God. something bigger, intimate, and ahead and the Divine Presence that has We are brought to a holy place when we profound. When we rest in the Living sustained and carried us before. encounter the sacredness of being. This Source of life, we will find that our We like it when the “now” time of our is real prayer. souls are no longer hungry or thirsty.