First Holy Communion
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 5:00 PM & 11:30 AM
Today, we celebrate a very special Mass for those children
who have been waiting for
and desirous of receiving their first holy communion.
Today we come together as a family to take part in a meal.
We come together to share a loaf of bread and a cup of wine.
In just a few moments, the bread and wine we offer to God
will be offered back to us as the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
We will be invited to eat at His table.
Today marks the first time you will come and eat, yet it will not be the last.
As the years go by and you grow into a teenager and then adulthood,
the Eucharist will be an essential part of your growth.
The many challenges you will face
require a strong faith in Jesus’ love for you.
The meal we share now is God’s love offering to us.
The Eucharist is the sharing of God’s life with us.
The food that Jesus gives us helps us grow strong in love of God
and others such as parents, teachers, relatives, and friends.
The most important message that Jesus says to us through the Eucharist
is that God loves us and cares for us.
When we come to God’s house and eat at His table,
we are being made strong in His love.
You remember the story when the Israelites doubted God’s love for them
as they were wandering in the desert, God sent food from heaven.
God did not leave His people alone to die.
Rather, God heard their cries and He provided them with food.
Even though they complained, God still cared for them.
God’s love is so strong and deep that He is ever faithful to our needs.
As God loves you with an unlimited love,
he desires you to love and help others. This is not always easy.
Many times in school, we don’t feel like being kind or helping others.
We may not feel well.
The test didn’t turn out as well as we expected.
Someone has hurt us and we are angry.
Maybe we have even been punished unfairly.
Perhaps we just want someone to listen to our side of the story.
Yet we can still love and help others.
The Body and Blood of Jesus give us the strength to be kind to others
even when we don’t feel like it.
You see, many times Jesus was tired and hurt by others,
yet he continued to help those who were in need.
Jesus was punished unfairly, yet he never sought hurting others in return.
He wanted to forgive them and love them.
We are asked to do the same, just like Jesus.
Not only do we take notice today of these boys and girls
who will receive their first Holy Communion.
We take notice and give thanks for all the families and friends
who are with us this morning.
You have supported your children, friends, and loved ones
by being with them who will receive the Lord in a few minutes.
We are truly God’s family nourished by His love in the Eucharist. /
Parents, you are entrusted with the sacred vocation
of continually nourishing your son or daughter in God’s way.
Today you are asked to rededicate yourselves to this mission
by your reception of the Eucharist.
Think back and remember
how often you have been sustained by the Eucharist,
in the many trials of your life.
Think back and remember how often the Eucharist has been received
with all the gratitude one can express to God.
Today you will receive the Eucharist with your child.
The family is the ‘little church’
which is empowered to help build up the Kingdom of God.
Finally, to all of you who are to receive your first Holy Communion:
The congregation of Saint John wholeheartedly congratulates you.
We are happy for you.
We rejoice with you, your family, friends, and teachers.
We give thanks to the Lord for His great love.
Keep this moment forever with you.
Let the joy of today stay with you for all your tomorrows.
Let today be the first of many days of eating at the Lord’s Table.
Always remember / that Jesus loved children and wanted to be with them.
He called them and blessed them.
Jesus went so far as to say
that the kingdom of heaven is made up of little children.
You are important to Jesus now and always.
God loves you and so do all of us!