First Communion
This weekend we are celebrating First Communion for our second-grade class. There will be people celebrating at most of our masses. The family chooses the church where their child receives First Communion. Members of the family are invited to come share this beautiful moment together. It is an event to be cherished as this young person receives the body and blood, soul and divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The children have been prepared to understand to the best of their ability what they are receiving. They learned about the feeding of the five thousand with a few loaves of bread and a few fish. They have listened to the Last Supper. From there they come to know the beginning of the priesthood and that God asks us to serve Him and our neighbors.
They have learned what we do at mass. The making of the sign of the Cross. Genuflecting to Jesus in the tabernacle. He is our Lord and Savior and when in His presence we should always be reverent and respectful. During the consecration as the bread is consecrated, we pray My Lord and My God. As the wine is consecrated, we pray God that He forgive our sins.
They have learned how to hold their hands in prayer. As we walk up to receive Jesus, we focus our attention on our God. That He loves us so much that He wants to be with us completely so that we may be completely with Him.
They have learned how to hold their hands to receive the Body of Christ, saying Amen, this is what I believe. And once we return to our pew, we kneel down in silence to give thanks to God for this wondrous gift of His Son for us.
Do you remember your First Communion? This is such an awesome gift from God, should we not consider it as a First Communion every time we receive the Eucharist? Should we not be overwhelmed with the love God has for us? And what is our return to the Lord for all that we receive? As you walk up to receive Holy Communion today, what will be your thoughts? Jesus asked Peter three times do you love me. Yes, Lord, you know I love you.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen