R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Have you heard of the so-called “Generation Z” and “Gen Alpha”? Generation Z and Gen Alpha include our young people between the ages of 29 and 14. The age group spends over four hours daily on social media and consumes vast amounts of short-form video. They have an attention span of only 8 seconds due to such fast-paced technology. And 4 out of 5 feel they lack a purpose in life. They tend to feel isolated and rejected. They have a need to feel stability both in the family and in the community, and to build wholesome relationships. This presents an opportunity for us as members of the Church to shepherd their desire for faith with a deeper understanding of Christ and His Church.

Stop and think about it – the so-called Generation Z and Gen Alpha can relate to Israel in the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel because they feel like rebels to everything that is going on in their world. They need a prophet like Ezekiel who can show them the way to God. Even Paul today in Corinthians speaks of insults, hardships, persecution, and constraints that he experienced in holding on to the power of Christ dwelling within him. Even our Lord dealt with a powerful dosage of rejection in His hometown as we heard in the Gospel. He was amazed at His own “paisans,” and their lack of faith.

Let me put it another way: Generation Z and Gen Alpha – ages 14 to 29 – are not too different from what many people experience in our world today. But there is an answer! We, the young and the mature alike, must hear Psalm 123 and apply it to our personal lives. The Psalmist chants, “Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading – pleading for His mercy.”  There is the answer in today’s Mass: that our eyes be fixed on the Lord, every hour, every day of this week.

In our reception of Holy Communion may we enter into a deeper relationship with our Eucharistic Lord. In this Communion, there is no rejection or isolation. And let us offer this Mass, seeking the help of the Blessed Mother and Saint Anthony to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, pleading for His mercy as we seek living the Gospel of Jesus Christ by our actions and by what comes from our mouth.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony Parish

As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into me
and set me on my feet,
and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:
Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
rebels who have rebelled against me;
they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.
Hard of face and obstinate of heart
are they to whom I am sending you.
But you shall say to them: Thus says the LORD GOD!
And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—
they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

R. (2cd) Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven —
As the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
As the eyes of a maid
are on the hands of her mistress,
So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
till he have pity on us.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,
for we are more than sated with contempt;
our souls are more than sated
with the mockery of the arrogant,
with the contempt of the proud.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

Brothers and sisters:
That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
because of the abundance of the revelations,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness.”
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.