Intercom, June 2026 Points to Ponder
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
7 June 2026
Over the centuries, the Holy Spirit gradually guided the Church to an awareness of Christ’s ongoing sacramental presence in the Eucharist. As the Eucharist was reserved after Mass so that Holy Communion could be brought to the sick, we began to realise that we could extend the worship and praise, and the prayers of intercession and supplication offered to God during the Mass by adoring the Lord in the Eucharist outside of Mass. Eventually, churches constructed tabernacles where we could reserve the Blessed Sacrament. Gradually we developed the liturgical practice of Eucharistic exposition, adoration, and benediction. Today, it is impossible to know how many tabernacles there are in the world. So many parish churches, convents and monasteries, oratories and residences of religious orders! In every corner of the world–indeed, in every corner of time and space–Jesus is with us, wanting to accompany us and to be available so that we can come to him in the Eucharist and open our hearts to him. He is drawing the whole world into his Sacred Heart through his silent, respectful, loving, generous presence in countless tabernacles throughout the earth. What does this decision on God’s part tell me about his love and interest in my life? How have I responded to this gift? How would I like to respond from now on?
Lord, today, by your grace, I will make an extra visit to a chapel or a church where I can be with you in the Eucharist. And I will take time there to enjoy your presence and thank you for everything I am grateful for.
epriest.com
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
14 June 2026
Jesus calls and sends us to the lost sheep to tell them of the Good News of the Kingdom. Who are the lost sheep? They are the ones who already belong but somehow strayed or do not know yet that they already belong to God’s flock. They suffer and we bring them God’s work of healing the sick, of restoring the outcast, of bringing relief to all physical, mental, social, and spiritual sufferings. St John Chrysostom wrote: ‘Nothing is colder than a Christian who does not care for the salvation of others.’ Today’s gospel may well be a call to us to break out of our little ice cubes.
Jesus is the icon of God the Father. He gives a face to the love and compassion of the Father. And Jesus calls us to offer service and the Good News to all without seeking a return for ourselves. It is our Christian life to be chosen just as the 12 were chosen, sent as they were sent. Somewhere in this world, there is someone for whom I am God’s gift of his presence, of his love, of his compassion.
As St Teresa of Avila reminds us.
Christ has no hands… He has only our hands to do His work today.
Christ has no feet… He has only our feet to guide men along His path.
Christ has no lips… He has only our lips to announce Him to the people of today.
Christ has no means… He has only our help to lead people to Himself.
We are the only Bible that people still read. We are the last message of God
Written in words and in deeds.
Fr Gerard Jonas
mepkinabbey.org
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
21 June 2026 • Day for Life
The second part of Jesus’ instruction to the disciples as they set out for their mission is the text of the Gospel today.
The opening sentence sets the tone for the disciples’ mission: Do not be afraid – a phrase which is repeated twice more in this Gospel passage.
The first reading from the Old Testament book of the prophet Jeremiah reflects Jeremiah’s experience of rejection – no one wants to hear the message God has called him to give. In fact, they want to kill him. Jeremiah sounds desperate and afraid. But then the reading turns into a prayer of confidence and trust in God’s companionship and spiritual protection – God and Jeremiah will win out.
Preaching in the name of God is a risky and frightening business, as Jesus knows. So he urges the disciples not to be afraid of small beginnings, of those who can kill only the body, or that God would abandon them. He reminds them that God is always mindful of them and accompanies them on their mission. He urges them to be brave and bold in proclaiming the truth about God and in confessing their belief in Jesus before others.
Matthew’s audience, like Jesus, Jeremiah and the disciples, knew all about persecution and rejection. Their question is also ours: if we allow fear to silence us how will the Good News of Jesus Christ ever be heard in the world? If we don’t speak, who will? If we don’t act, who will?
It is not really a matter of talking at people and quoting at length from the Bible. As St Francis of Assisi said, ‘Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary use words’.
carmelites.org
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
28 June 2026
Jesus spoke often about rewards. In today’s Gospel passage, he mentions the word three times. Is he appealing to our selfishness? After all, if we do what is right just to get a reward, isn’t that being kind of self-centered? Sometimes we can think so. But Jesus doesn’t seem to think so. If he did, he wouldn’t have talked about rewards so often. The truth is that we were created to experience the fulfillment and joy that come from living in communion with God. We are built with a strong desire for happiness, for true, lasting happiness. This desire is actually an essential part of the engine of our lives. It keeps us going. It motivates us and gives us energy. Whenever Jesus speaks about rewards, he is appealing to a natural, healthy desire for fulfillment that he built into our human nature. It is not selfish to want to experience fulfillment. It is not selfish to do what is right because we know that it will lead us further along the path of a meaningful and fruitful life, and moving forward on that path will feel good. That is not selfishness; rather, it is hope. We are called by God to hope for all good things in him. Hope for fulfillment and joy in Christ is part of our Christian DNA – just as much a part of it as the cross. Jesus wants us to cultivate it and nourish it. He delights when we enjoy the good gifts of God and make choices that create more space for us and others to continue enjoying those gifts. Let us hope in Christ.
epriest.com