This Sunday, some of our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level II children, whose baptismal faith have been formed by their parents and catechists for this special day, are receiving their First Communion. What a blessing for them, their families, and our parish family! It is always one of the most special days in our parish life each year. 

As the YOUCAT for Kids (the official Vatican catechism for children) says, “The Eucharist is the sacrament where Jesus Christ gives us his Body and Blood under the signs of bread and wine. In this way, we are united with him and his Church . . . The new life in Christ, begun at Baptism, is nourished by the Eucharist. The members of the Church grow together in Christ.” (no. 74) We believe that when the priest prays the Eucharistic Prayer at the Mass, the bread and wine become the real presence of Jesus Christ, risen and living, with us: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1374) When we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus at Mass, we grow more and more into the eternal life that began in us at our Baptism to the extent that we open our hearts and minds to Jesus. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life . . . Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (John 6:54, 56) 

When we actively participate at Mass, we listen to God’s Word and are shaped by it. We also are more closely united with Jesus in his Paschal Mystery in which we died and rose with Christ though Baptism. (see Romans 6:4) Again, this is explained well in the YOUCAT for Kids, “In every Holy Mass, Jesus’ death and Resurrection become present to us: we meet the crucified and risen Lord and unite ourselves with him by going to Communion . . .  It is not like TV, where we see for the hundredth time a rerun of an old movie. Through the Holy Mass, we are truly present at the death and Resurrection of Jesus.” (no. 75) 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life.” (no. 1324) Through the Mystery of the Eucharist, simple bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Through our participation in and reception of the Eucharist, we then become more and more what we already are as Church, the Body of Christ. (see 1 Corinthians 12:12–27) When we are gathered together as a Eucharistic People, we grow in our unity with each other. The Eucharist both symbolizes and brings about this unity of the Mystical Body of Christ. Finally, we are sent out as Jesus’ mind, heart, hands, feet, and light to spread the Gospel, to bring about God’s Kingdom of justice and peace, and to compassionately serve others in love, especially the poor and vulnerable, 

First Communions are important, but so are 2nd Communions, 200th Communions, 2,000th Communions, etc. Every Lord’s Day (Saturday evening or Sunday), we are given the golden opportunity to grow in closer, more intimate Communion with Jesus, his Church, and our neighbors, to mature in our baptismal destiny of communion with God and neighbor in love. (see 1 John 1:3–4) As we are heading into the spring and summer months, it may seem that other good activities and recreations take priority over participation at Mass. It may seem too pleasant or too hot to make the effort to get dressed and partake in Eucharist. I guarantee that if you and your household seek first the Kingdom of God, prioritizing Eucharist, you will see the fruit in your live. 

I attended a funeral this week. This family has had more than its share of tragedy over the past couple of years. They participate in Mass every week (and often on weekdays). They are involved in the prayer and service ministries of the parish. It was stirring to see their faith and hope in Christ’s promise of resurrection lifting them up in their hour of grief. Through the heartbreak and the tears, they were able to say “Jesus, I trust in you!” It was also inspiring to see their faith community, including a number of fellow parishioners, comforting them and letting them know that they are not carrying their burden alone. This is not an accident. Their faithfulness to Jesus, our Eucharistic Lord, and their involvement in the life of the parish, a Eucharistic people, was their beacon of hope in one of the most turbulent moments of their life. 

As our children celebrate their First Communion this weekend, we rejoice with them and their families. May we all remember the joy of each of our First Communions, while at the same time rejoice in our most important reception of Holy Communion: our next one.

John