I sometimes imagine that
when we hear a gospel like that and Jesus talks about us as being sheep. Why Jesus are you calling us a bunch of
sheep? Boys and girls have you ever seen
a flock of sheep? Have you been to a
farm and watched a whole flock of sheep?
You know sheep are kind of not so smart animals. When they are together and they are going in
and out of the pen or the pasture they usually follow in a single line, one
right behind the other. And then if a
wild dog or a wolf should come instead of running away, which you think they
would, they freeze. They are so afraid
they don’t know what to do. And that’s
why the shepherd has a name for each of his sheep. So that they can call each one by name and
they’ll listen to the shepherd and get away from the harm or the danger. That’s why Jesus is saying, “I call you each
by name, because I’m protecting you. I
will take care and when there are dangers and evil and sin my love is always
going to be there for you and surround you.”
That’s why Jesus is using that image of sheep.
But I know you’re smarter
than sheep, right? Yea. Parents I don’t know. But if someone loves you Matt, and you love
them back how do you show them love?
Respect, great. Joseph, can you
think of someway you want to tell someone you care about them? Think and I’ll come back alright? How do you show someone you care about
them? Say “Thank you.” Great way.
When someone gives you something you can say thank you.
Let’s try some of the kids
here in the center row. How would you
show someone that you love them? Maria—a
hug, yea, that’s a great way. You don’t
have to use any words, just come up and give them a big bear hug, right? And they get the message. Logan, can you think of any way you can show
someone how you love them? By being good
to them, yea. Every time mom and dad
says, “Turn of the computer Logan, It’s time to go bed”. You do it right away, right? Yea.
What do you think Caitlin? By
giving kisses to your mom and dad, yea. What a special way to show them that
you love them and care about them.
Great! Shea, what do you
think? Helping them, yea. Mom and dad won’t have to ask you 5000 times
to do something, you’re going to do it right away. What do you think Natalie? You don’t know, it’s deep down inside though
isn’t it?
So you have lots of good
ways. We’ve got one more row to go and
see if you can come up with any other ideas how you want to show people you
love them and care about them. Charlie,
you’ve got a big smile on your face.
You’re thinking about it.
Kevin? Charlie, you got one? Instead of mom making the sandwich you make
the sandwich. I bet you make a great
peanut butter and jelly sandwich, right? I love peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches. Kevin did you come up with
anything? Being kind. Right them a
letter. What happens on birthdays, a lot
of times you send cards, right? That
what you do Jackson? Even neater if you
make your own card, huh? That’s one of
the greatest things in the world boys and girls and you do that a lot of times
in school. You get your paper and you
make an image on it or you put figures on it and you give it to mom and dad to
show them you love them, you care about them.
And that’s really what’s
happening today at First Holy Communion today boys and girls. Jesus is saying, “I love you. I care about you so much I’m going to give
you the biggest hug of all, I’m going to give you myself.” And that’s what Jesus is doing in Holy
Communion. He’s coming to you to give
you Himself, His love to always be with you.
This is the first of many, many times, boys and girls, you get to
receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
So there’s the tip-off. Moms and Dads and godparents, it’s your
responsibility to make sure that these children get to church and Mass every
weekend so they can receive Jesus in Holy Communion. They can’t drive by themselves, can
they? They need you to help them get
here. Even if you’re on vacation boys
and girls, tell mom and dad, “I want to go to church”, alright? “I want to receive Jesus”.
Many of you may have your
godparents here this morning. And
godparents when you stood there at baptism for these boys and girls you made a
promise that you would be examples of faith in living the Christian way of
life. Today is another way that you
carry out that responsibility. During
Holy Communion if any of the godparents are here today I’m going to invite the
moms and dads as well as the godparents to come down with their children for
the First Holy Communion. A really
special way of tying together baptism and Holy Communion.
And of course for all the
rest of you here. Uncles and aunts,
brothers and sisters, grandparents, it’s a great day for you too. You know boys and girls I bet some of your
relatives and friends are going to give you something, right? Maybe you’ll get a special rosary, or a
special prayer book, or a little medal that you can wear around your neck. It’s again a simple little way that they are
telling you they love you and they care about you.
As one of you mentioned over
here, say thank you. And that’s when we
come to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, Jesus is giving us Himself, and that’s
what you’re doing too, you’re saying, “Thank you Jesus, that You love me and
now Jesus I’m going to take the love that You give to me and I’m going to hug
mom and dad, my brothers and sisters.
I’m going to be obedient. I’m
going to be helpful. I’m going to be
kind. I’m taking the love You give me
and letting it grow and give it to others.”
That’s how God’s love keeps
growing.