First Communion (06/02/2024)

I remember my first communion. It was at St. Joseph Catholic Church in downtown Waycross, Georgia. It was on May 11, 1958. I wore a white dress, veil, and white shoes. But the most vivid memory of the day isn’t the location nor my outfit, it was my joyful reception of Jesus. I’d waited the whole year for that day, planned for it, pictured it. But when it came, it was more than I’d imagined.

Jesus came to me that day. And every time I receive communion, I still walk forward to receive Him into my life and my very being. I still feel the excitement as I wait for the words, “Body of Christ.” I still loudly and firmly respond, “Amen.” I still see in that small portion the totality of love and the gift of life. And I still try to open myself wide to receive Christ, not just my mouth, my whole being.

Do you remember your first communion? Do you remember how you longed for that day to arrive? Do you recall your excitement?

Today is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi when across the world there will be processions of the faithful. Today is the day when we remember Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist, the giving of His Body and His Blood for us and our salvation. As we celebrate this holy reminder, let us take time to personally consider Jesus’ gift to us and our reception of Him.

May our journey in faith, hope and love bring us closer, day by day, to Christ and to life in abundance. May we feel the joy of our first communion at our 1000th and 10,000th. May we never lose sight of the price Christ paid for us and our lives. May our communion moments not just remind us of that day but of our participation in the living Body of Christ. May we be willing to take what we receive, allow it to inform us, conform us, transform us so that we might bring Christ to others and others to Christ.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.