First Communion…does anyone remember clearly their First Communion? I remember my dress and the white veil I wore, plus I had a little bell sewn into the skirt of my dress. It was an event that I got to dress up and I was made to feel very special and pretty. That is all that I remember.
My youngest, Seth, is about to receive his First Communion, he’s scheduled for next weekend May 10th, Mother’s Day. The entire group of 2nd graders was so large that they had to break up the First Communion into 3 separate weekends at 2 different masses each weekend. I picked the very last weekend. I know, how could I do that to a child?
The first weekend was last weekend, April 26th, and ALL the kids were prepared for the Sacrament, whether or not it was their designated weekend. Now the ‘RULE’ is that you don’t go till it’s your weekend.
But Seth didn’t see the logic in that ‘rule’. Last Sunday, we were walking into LIFETEEN mass and Seth says, “Mom, I’m ready, so do I get to receive the Body of Life?”
I paused and considered what he was asking but also knew that there was something special to be said for having it happen within the actual Sacramental rite, so I told him I was sorry but he had to wait till Mother’s Day, May 10th. He got quiet and when we walked into the church he asked again, “But mom, I’ve done EVERTHING I need to do and I’m ready to receive the Body of Life! Why can’t I?” Well, how could I argue that reasoning? I didn’t know what to say so I left it up to Fr. Borski. We waited in the back for Fr. Borski and when he came up to us I told him Seth had a question.
Fr. Borski looked down at Seth and waited. Seth took a deep breath, looked up at Fr. Borski and said, “Fr. Borski, I want to know if I can receive the Body of Life. I’ve done everything. I’ve done my books, I’ve gone to reconciliation, I’ve done the retreat and I’ve practiced receiving the Body of Life, can I receive the Body of Life?” He said all of this in the one breath.
Fr. Borski looked over at me and I shrugged my shoulders, “We don’t have him scheduled till May 10th.”
Then he looked back down at Seth and asked him, “Do you know Jesus Christ?”
Seth said, “Yes.”
Fr. Borski asked, “Do you believe in Jesus?”
Seth said, “Yes.”
Fr. Borski then asked, “Do you want to receive Him tonight?”
Seth’s eyes got big and he said, “Yes.”
Fr. Borski leaned down and patted Seth on the head and said, “Then you may receive Him.”
Seth’s smile spread from ear to ear.
That night I was scheduled as a Eucharistic Minister and was serving the Body of Christ in the back. Seth came to me and I was able to serve Him our Lord.
There is no greater moment or pleasure, except to maybe have your son one day consecrate the host.
It was a great gift and it strengthened my belief in the gift we have in the Eucharist. May we ALL look forward to every moment we get to receive the Body of LIFE.