There are many things I love about being a priest, but one of the happiest moments of my priesthood come when I give someone first communion for the very first time. On Easter Vigil Mass, we had 8 adults and 6 children receive first communion. Today, two weekends after celebrating Easter Sunday, we have 49 children receiving first communion. It is a day of great joy, isn’t it? All of you children will be receiving Jesus into your lives in a very special way through the Eucharist for the very first time. Wearing special clothing and celebrating a special Mass are signs of what a special day this is for all of you and your families and your parish. I cannot explain in words how happy I am for all of you today, how much joy it brings to my heart. And I know your parents and brothers and sisters and family members feel the same sense of joy. We hear this wonderful Gospel story today of two of Jesus’ disciples on the road leading to the village called Emmaus. The disciples are very sad. Their leader and their friend Jesus had been put to death. The disciples were sad, afraid, and confused. They did not know what would happen next. So they ran away. Yet, they meet this stranger on the road. They don’t know who he is. They start telling him their story. He listens to them. He explains the Scriptures to them. But they still do not know who this stranger is. It is not until he stays with them at the village that they share a meal with him. He takes the bread, he prays before they eat, he breaks the bread, and then gives it to them. They realize - isn’t this what Jesus did when we had the last supper with us? They realize - this is Jesus.
These two disciples receive a message of Easter joy from Jesus in their encounter with him. We receive that message today as well as we celebrate the resurrected Jesus during this joyful Easter season. As we celebrate the risen Jesus today, how wonderful it is to celebrate First Holy Communion. The disciples broke away from their past and all that was holding them back through their encounter. This is a new, wonderful experience for all of you as well. But this experience is not to end today. It be a new part of your journey. You are to receive Christ in the Eucharist every Sunday when you come to Mass with your family. That is an important part of our journey of faith.
When those two disciples were talking together on their journey, before they recognized who Jesus was, they were trying to understand what was going on in their lives. They were trying to understand who Jesus was. And that is what we are called to do on our journey of faith as well: to constantly learn and grow and ask questions. You all were so lucky to have such wonderful teachers this year: Mrs. Julie Arriola and Mrs. Anita Gusmus. They both have so much love for all of you and both enjoyed teaching you about God and about Jesus as you prepared for First Holy Communion this year. You will continue to learn and grow here at St James. So, enjoy today, boys and girls. Enjoy this special occasion in your lives. We celebrate with you on this special day. We celebrate with our risen Lord and friend, Jesus Christ.
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