June 2, 2024
Much More Than a City in Texas
A friend of mine just posted to Facebook a photo taken of our second grade class a few weeks after having received our First Holy Communion. There we were in all our innocence: lots of itchy uniform plaid, crooked teeth and a backdrop of 1980’s wood paneling. Fast forward to 2024, and that very same friend witnessed his youngest child make her First Holy Communion at the same parish church where he made his nearly four decades earlier. There is something so profoundly beautiful in our Catholic tradition that generation after generation we bring our children to the altars of our parish churches to receive Christ present in the Eucharist. We tell them, perhaps in not so many words, that here in Holy Communion is the Answer to life’s journey. Here is where we come to seek love, comfort, advice, peace and community. Here is Godwith-us, and He never abandons or forsakes us.
This Sunday – known as Corpus Christi Sunday, the Most Holy Body, and Blood of Christ – let us renew our love for Christ present in the Eucharist. No matter what our age, may we humbly approach the altar with a childlike sense of wonder and awe at the Mystery of Love we receive, and may our communion with Him and each other spill over into lives spent in loving service. Be not afraid to come to Him. Our Eucharistic Lord loves us and awaits us – plaid uniforms, crooked teeth, and all!