My sisters and brothers, thank you, Father Benny, for your kind invitation to be here to celebrate the 50th anniversary – the golden anniversary of this church building here at Our Lady of the Shoals with all your parishioners and guests. Today, we welcome back Father Michael Adams, your former pastor, whom you know very well. In addition, we welcome Abbot Marcus Voss, O.S.B., representing St. Bernard’s Abbey who provided 9 of the 13 pastors of Our Lady of the Shoals. We are also grateful for the presence of the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Convent, who faithfully served the school and educated many parishioners in their years of service. A cordial welcome goes out to our visitors and guests and those who have, in some way, been touched by the ministry of Our Lady of the Shoals Parish here in Tuscumbia and the greater Quad Cities. We are so very grateful for the gifts we have received over the years as a result of this parish and this church. 

When and how we build a building – its architecture and structure - we seek to institutionalize an idea, a mission, a virtue, a memorial to some past event, or a blessing in some way. Church buildings are no different. Some are plain and simple, some are very elaborate like the soaring gothic cathedrals in France, and many with stained glass windows, statuary, and structure that is catechetical to our faith. By its very presence, it is meant to convey something - to give a silent witness to a greater mission when words are inadequate. Yet, all of our Catholic church buildings have major focus points – a place for the congregation to gather together and become one united community of faith. Then, there is the altar of the Word which we call the ambo, or pulpit in modern English, where the Word of God which we so cherish is proclaimed and preached. Then, there’s the altar of sacrifice – the altar in the center of the church where we bring our sins, our worries, and joys and, through the action of the priest, unite them to the simple bread and wine. We offer everything to God. In return, God sends us His son Jesus to be with us, Whom we take with us and in us when we depart and go on mission. 

I follow an author named Luigi Giussani, an Italian priest who has now gone to the Lord almost 20 years ago. He wrote and said something that, at least in my mind, makes sense for what we do today and every Sunday. He said, “If man cannot give God, he has not given enough.” We come here week after week. Whenever we act as a Christian, if we have not given God, then we have not given enough. Today, we encounter God here at the privileged meeting point between Heaven and earth which we call Church, specifically here at Our Lady of the Shoals. We bring our meager offerings, and Jesus, the Godman, Who loved the world so much, redeemed the world through His death and resurrection. He has now given us Himself so that we would have the chance to hear His voice, answer His call to discipleship, follow Him in order to live forever. 

Over the course of the next few weeks, our Sunday scriptures will be delving into the dense meaning of the Eucharist as outlined in the Gospel of John, chapter 6 – one of our most cherished sacraments. We hear how God has provided for His people in spite of their grumbling and dismay.  We hear how Jesus offers Himself as the amazing food that leads us to eternal life, noting the promise He made to His disciples: “I am the living bread come down from Heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (cf. John 6:51) The part I wish to underscore today, in the midst of our joyful celebration as we reflect back to the establishment of this church is the mission of Christ, is that His people “will live forever.” Our imaginations are struck with the possibility of living forever. Truly we are living longer today than our ancestors even dreamed of.

Living forever! What an amazing concept! I don’t know about you, but there is something in me that wants to live forever? I don’t want to miss a thing that’s happening. Where is this fountain of youth that will keep me young, alive, and alert? If we could just find the right blend of vitamins, minerals, (e.g., Balance of Nature), elixirs, creams and salves, energy boosting potions, eat the right foods, get the right amount of exercise, find the right balance in life that will maximize our potential. That’s why we have doctors, search for self-help books, look for ways to turn away from our boredom, laziness, and addictions. We want to do what we should do and be who we are meant to be. St. Paul says it, “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!”

If I go to my doctor and say: “If I do everything you say, am I going to live forever?” He would give me a strange look! We want a quality of life, but he or she cannot promise that I’m going to “live forever.” Still, we keep looking for that which will, or just may, be able to answer that need I have in my heart. And then we hear those words of Jesus that gives us a new hope. “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood will live forever.” (cf. John 6:54) Where do we find the flesh and blood of Jesus? Right here at this altar – day after day, week after week - He is here waiting for us. We are given food that will truly enable us to live forever notwithstanding the eventual death that will claim our mortal bodies. “Life is changed, not ended,” we proclaim at every funeral. We will be transformed and become more and more who we are meant to be – if we don’t resist the promise of Jesus.