When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." We ask for Mary to be with us as we begin a new school year and we ask that she lead us to her son, Jesus.

"Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." In spite of doubts and the demands of discipleship, Peter came to believe that Jesus possessed the words of everlasting life.

"For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." Jesus gives his new and everlasting life to those who have united themselves to his destiny. In the Eucharist, we unite ourselves to him and remain in him.

"The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." Mary leads us to her Son, our Risen Savior Jesus Christ.

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." The Blessed Virgin Mary heard the Word, observed the Word, carried the Word, and gave the Word to the world. During this solemnity, we celebrate Mary and the place that has been prepared for her in the Body of Christ by God the Father.

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever..."

"Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life." Jesus is the bread of life.

"Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining." As Jesus multiplied the loaves and the fish for those who were gathered around him, he also continues to meet the needs of those who are his own.

"His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd." The Lord Jesus knows our frailty and is filled with compassion, not condemnation. Our response is to place all of our trust into his pastoral care.

The burden of ministry is lightened within community.