The Gospel Feast - Patrick Freese

Patrick Freese, sacristan and administrator at Our Lady of Grace parish in Edina, Minnesota begins this Eucharistic episode with a reflection on the parish wide support for the families of neighboring Annunciation Parish following the horrific all school mass shooting. Patrick opens his reflection of Newman’s sermon “Gospel Feast” by appropriately noticing the tension found in God’s created world that is simultaneously fruitful and broken. This tension is answered by the Gospel feast in the innocent sacrifice of Christ. Both the Old and New Testaments prefigure this sacred meal as not only the sustenance of our present pilgrimage but a foretaste of the eternal banquet in heaven. Because the Eucharist is hidden in the supernatural it surpasses even the visible blessings of Isreal. Newman urges us to approach this sacrament of privilege not coldly or formally but with faith, awe and love since it is the merciful foretaste of everlasting joy. 

To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions are appreciated on the same site.