20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(B)

INTRO: I found this story….

Thirteen-year-old “Jeremiah” was about to celebrate his bar mitzvah. His grandmother, whom he called “Bubby”, asked what he’d like for a present. This 13-year-old, who could have asked his grandmother for anything in the world, but he said:

“Bubby, I’d like you to make me a cookbook with all your recipes in it.”

His grandmother could not have been more touched.

So she did just that… She wrote out all the family recipes by hand, and along with the recipes she shared stories, about the special occasions and about the special people that were served, tasting her delicious foods

When she was finished, on the first page of her cookbook, she wrote:

Dear Jeremiah,

I feel greatly honored that you asked me to put this recipe book together for you. I don’t know of any other grandchild that ever made such a request. In every way I thank you.

It brought back so many wonderful memories of dinners prepared for various holidays . . . memories of so many people that gathered at my home, sat at my table and became forever inscribed in my heart and mind . . .

My attitude toward food centers around bringing people together . . . and feelings of warmth toward each other.

Jeremiah, I designed these recipes so that they will be easy to follow . . . I hope you find them useful, that you enjoy the creative aspect of cooking and baking, but most of all that you provide for others, as I’d like to think I did, with the opportunity to share life and love.

I love you dearly,

Bubby

A grandson and his grandmother appreciate that food is much more than fuel for the body.

Food is about gathering people in a spirit of gratitude at the tables where, in breaking bread together, we celebrate family and connect with each other and in many situations make new friends.

In calling himself “bread” – the simplest and most basic of foods – Jesus connects our everyday actions and grateful sharing at a table with experiencing Him and His mercy.

In the bread of the Eucharist, Jesus transforms us, his church, into his own body and blood.

And so when we take Holy Communion we become for one another: Christ and how awesome is that!

CONCLUSION

Your presence here indicates your beliefs that each and every one of us can become a bit better through this participation at the altar of sacrifice. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity.