Hey, everybody. This is Father John Ricardo with Acts 29. And in the middle of all the craziness

and the uncertainty that's going on right now, it seems from our perspective as a team that it's

worth using these days to reflect in a more deliberate way on the scriptures every day, which

for many of us now is the only spiritual food that we're receiving. And so we're going to do a special podcast series simply entitled,

Be Not Afraid, God's Word in Uncertain Times.

And we'll try to post something every day, usually reflecting on the scriptures,

so that we can listen in on what God is trying to say to us in these days.

The scriptures today and the feast day that we celebrate, namely that of St. Joseph, the

worker, it's almost like being at a buffet table with a massive appetite and suddenly realizing

there's not enough room in the stomach. So I'm necessarily going to limit myself. I want to say a couple

quick things. First of all, let's entrust into the hands of St. Joseph in a special way, all those

who are suffering today, particularly those who are going to die today. Joseph is the patron of a

happy death. He died in the arms of our lady and our Lord. And so let's commend

into his care all those who are suffering, particularly but not only with the virus that's going on.

Second, I feel bad about skipping these strong words from Jesus in John 6 that his flesh is true food, that is to say real food,

and his blood is true drink, real drink. This chapter in John 6 is an extraordinarily

rich chapter, and one which is ironic that we're reading right now at

Mass when most of us can't receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

I pray that it will be something that we will perhaps take the time to read all in one sitting

rather than the way it's broken up, usually at Mass.

And just ask the Lord, Lord, teach us about the reality of the Eucharist and help us to

understand this extraordinary gift you've given.

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