The whole world could melt away and become as nothing, and still I would have infinite value in the palm of my hand in the form of the Blessed Eucharist.
A few weeks ago my family and I attended my nephew’s First Holy Communion.
A First Holy Communion is a very big deal in my family. For us, there is much to organise. There are the lessons as the child needs to be prepared to understand the significance of the sacrament itself. Then there are the clothes – beautiful white dresses for the little girls and smart handsome suits for the little boys. And somewhere for lunch afterwards to celebrate the occasion. That is very important too.
You see, it is very important to be prepared for this special occasion.
When we are baptised, we received God into our souls SPIRITUALLY. But when we receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, we receive God into our souls SPIRITUALLY and also receive Him into our bodies PHYSICALLY. In other words, our connection with Christ becomes even more intimate and even more profound.
I remember my First Holy Communion day. It was a beautiful Sunday bright and sunny. I had a beautiful white dress that was hired from my school (as was the protocol in those days). My mother asked her hairdresser to come to our home that morning and prepare her hair and mine too (and the hair of my younger sisters). It was the first time in my life that I had ever had a party put on in my honour. I remember my uncles and aunts telling me that the next time I wore a beautiful white dress like this would be on my wedding day – perhaps that is why I particularly love wearing white dresses when I have the chance, because it reminds me of how I felt on that day?
And I remember the moment when I received the Blessed Eucharist in the Host that day. I remember feeling how surreal that moment actually was. I remember the hymns and the people and I remember thinking that now everything was different. Now Christ Himself had come into my soul and now I could talk to Him in a special way (as I had been taught).
And I have been thinking about that today. Because when I watched those children receive their First Holy Communion, I saw the same wonder on their faces and the same excitement in their eyes. And it occurred to me that I should be counting the times that God Himself has come into my body and soul. For that wonder that I experienced on my First Holy Communion day was just the beginning. And every single time after that has been another encounter and another opportunity to welcome God into my soul.
And when I think of it like that, I wonder how little I have valued this TREASURE of the world. For the whole world could melt away and become as nothing, and still I would have infinite value in the palm of my hand in the form of the Blessed Eucharist.
And I have been thinking about that today, as I remember my nephew…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.