St. Mary’s Parish Feast Day, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8), is celebrated at our weekend masses September 11th and 12th, with the annual Parish Picnic following the 11:30 am mass.

But we can’t have a party without... a set-up and clean-up crew, a kitchen crew and plenty of side dishes and desserts to share. Thank you for signing up to help!

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time August 22, 2021

Music reprinted and live streamed with permission from OneLicense.net #612145

Gathering Song: Table of Plenty Dan Schutte

The Introductory Rite

The earth is replete with the fruits of your work, O Lord; you bring forth bread from the earth and wine to cheer the heart. Psalm 104

Glory to God from Mass of St. by Sarah Hart

The Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: A reading from the Book of Joshua (24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b (122B))

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at , summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges, and their officers. When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all the people: “If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, our of a state of slavery. Her performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among the peoples through whom we passed. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN

1. I will bless the Lord at all times; praise of him is always in my mouth. In the Lord my soul shall make its boast; the humble shall hear and be glad. 2. The Lord turns his eyes to the just, and his ears are open to their cry. The Lord turns his face against the wicked to destroy their remembrance from the earth. 3. When the just cry our the Lord hears, and rescues them in all their distress. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save. 4. Many are the trials of the just man, but from them all the Lord will rescue him. He will keep guard over all his bones; not one of his bones shall be broken.

Second Reading: A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (5:21-32)

Brothers and sisters: Be subordinate to one another our of reverence for . Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. Live in love, as Christ loved us. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the Church, because we are members of his body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation: :63c, 68c from Mass of St. Mary Magdalene by Sarah Hart

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. A reading from the holy according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel Reading: John 6:60-69

Many of ’ disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life. John 6

Profession of Faith

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten , born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (at the words that follow, up to and including “and became man,” all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under , he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful Thank you for your generous support of St. Mary’s Church through Faith Direct https://www.stmarysblacksburg.org/online-giving

Preparation of the Gifts: The Eyes and Hands of Christ Tom Kendzia

The Liturgy of the acclamations from the Mass of St. Mary Magdalene by Sarah Hart

Holy

Mystery of Faith

Amen

Lamb of God

Communion Song: Lord, To Whom Shall We Go Scott Soper

Taste and See (refrain) James E. Moore, Jr.

Prayer after Communion Final Blessing

Sending Song: Love Has Come Matt Maher

Discipleship in Action: Renewing Hope with the Word of God and the Sacrament HOMILY OUTLINE FOR Sat/Sun, August 21-22 1

REVIEW OF THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE

SUMMARY OF EVENTS: 1. Transitions of location and audience

2. “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” (Jn 6:29) The key to the whole passage!

3. Deserted place / Crowd to / Crowd a. Feeds the 5000 (Jn 6:1-15) b. “This is the Prophet c. Let’s make him king! (He must be the Messiah)

4. Capernaum Synagogue / Jewish Leaders (“The Jews”) a. “ the bread of life . . . because I came down from heaven a. “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” b. 6 more times he hammers home the idea: you must eat my flesh and drink my blood if you are to have eternal life b. “These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.”(Jn 6:59)

5. Synagogue? / Many Disciples leave him a. “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” (Jn 6:60) a. As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. (Jn 6:66)

6. Synagogue? / All but Apostles and some disciples a. “Do you also want to leave?” (Jn 6:67-69) b. Peter: “Master, to whom shall we go? c. You have the words of eternal life. d. We have come to believe and are convinced that YOU are the Holy One of God.”

WHO DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH?

1. The Crowd – who praise Jesus for what he does for them. How many of us “love” God for the good things he does for us, instead of loving Him for Who He Is? 2. The Jewish Leadership (“The Jews) – Who do not accept the words of Jesus. “Why do you not understand what I am saying? Because you cannot bear to hear my word.” a. “. . . because I speak the truth, you do not believe me. (Jn 8:43,45) 3. The Disciples – Who cannot accept his words because their faith/belief in him is not strong. Those that focus on the understanding of the world (the flesh) without an appreciation of the spiritual aspect of things abandon Jesus to return to their former way of life (sin, world of the flesh) 4. The Apostles – Our belief in His WORD, Our faith in Him.

HOMILY OUTLINE FOR Sat/Sun, August 21-22 2

WHAT / WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?

1. Creed – I believe? 2. Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus is the Word made flesh? 3. Jesus cured the blind, deaf, lame, raised the dead,etc 4. Consecrated bread and wine are “the whole Christ," "truly," "really," and "substantially" present. 5. Again, with what group from the Gospel reading do you identify with?

WHAT IS THE EUCHARIST LIKE (USEFUL METAPHORS?)

1. Infrared energy audit of your house 2. Cell phones 3. The Interface: bread and wine. SEE AND BELIEVE

Some, like , benefit from seeing empirical data: Eucharistic Miracles. Vatican I provides a definition of a miracle: • 5 attributes to meet definition of a Miracle • One is “Sensible”: subject to perception by the senses. Miracles are meant to prove the authenticity of God’s revelation • We have an exposition of Eucharistic Miracles in the Hall. We have chosen a select few that are of recent event (either the miracle and/or the scientific analysis done) and provide physical evidence that can be visited and observed today. You are encouraged to stop by and read the posters. You can also visit the website for further information: http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/Liste/list.html

1. Lanciano, Italy 750 AD 2. Betania, Venezuela, 1991 3. Buenos Aires, Argentina 1993 4. Legnica, Poland, 2013 5. Sokolka, Poland 2008

RCIA Invitation

1. Come and See 2. Signup in Narthex or Call Office with name, email, telephone # or send Deacon Rick the information at [email protected]. 3. WHEN & WHERE? : Tuesday, August 24 at 7pm, St Mary’s Parish Hall.