Fifth Sunday of Easter, First Communion Mass
Jesus tells us in the gospel
today, “I give you a new commandment to love one another as I have loved
you.” And if someone loves us, First
Communion students, how do you know they love you? How do you show your love for somebody
else? Being respectful to them,
right. Mom and dad like to hear that,
right? Sophia, what do you think? How do you show love to somebody? Give them a hug, ya! Doesn’t a hug really feel good when you’re
maybe scared or tired? They just come
up, mom and dad and give you a big hug and you know it’s going to be
alright.
How about some of the other
students. How do you think you show love
to somebody? What do you think? By telling them, ya, that’s a good way to do
it? If you just stand in front of them
and just keep looking at them—huh?
You’ve got to say, “I love you mom.
I love you dad.” Good idea. What do you think Philip? You can smile, ya. Smiles go a long way don’t they. Good coaching dad! He listened to you. If all you do is put a frown on your face,
wow, you’ve got to be smiling and happy.
Can you think of
something? What do you do when mom and
dad do something special for you? Say
thank you. Another good way, by saying thank
you, being grateful for what mom and dad or grandma and grandpa or your
godparents do for you. Lots of neat
ways.
Can you think of anything,
how you would show someone you love them?
Help them when they need help.
Especially helping around home, doing the dishes without being told 500
times to do it. Wouldn’t that be
great?
Give them a kiss, sure. That’s a great way too of showing
someone. You know hugs are great but mom
and dad love to kiss you too don’t they?
Makes you feel good. Especially
if you’ve been hurt, what if mom and dad do if you get hurt? Kiss it, and say that will make all the
badness and soreness go away, right.
Can you think of one last
thing? Helping around the house. Good idea.
Helping around the house because when we do these things, again maybe
boys and girls things are hectic at home.
Maybe today too you’re going back to your home and there are going to be
a lot of people there. It’s your
wonderful day, they are honoring you but also you can help clean up things
around the house afterwards cause mom and dad probably did a lot of work
getting things ready at home.
Those are all wonderful
little ways of showing somebody else we love them, we care about them. And that’s what Jesus wants you and me to do
every day. Not just because today is
your First Communion day.
Boys and girls this is the
first of many, many times that you will get to receive Jesus in Holy
Communion. I hope this is a very happy
day for all of you, but I hope too that every time you come to Mass you’ll be
just as happy and just as much filled with joy.
And so therefore, here’s a tip-off.
Mom and Dad, godparents, grandma and grandpa, other family members, it’s
your responsibility to make sure that these boys and girls can come to Mass every
Sunday to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
They can’t drive yet, they’re dependent upon you. So boys and girls make sure you tell mom and
dad very Sunday, “I want to go to church.”
Alright? And mom and dad are
going to say, “Great, let’s go.” Right
folks? Ya.
Godparents, I know a lot of
you are godparents here this morning.
That was one of the responsibilities you took on. You were telling that we will be an example
for living the faith for our godchild and you also promised that you would help
mom and dad be faithful to that commitment too.
So boys and girls you have a
lot of people who love you, care about you and are willing to help you.
One of the most important
things today, you told us how to love one another. Jesus is coming to you today because He loves
you. Jesus says the best way to know how
I can love you, is I’m going to come and give you Myself. That’s pretty neat isn’t it? Jesus is going to come to you and just fill
you up with the joy, the strength, the love, the helpfulness, all the good
things you need to do to love other people.
That’s why Jesus said, “Love one another and I have loved you.” Here’s a big smile to show it. So you got the idea, you got the
message. Jesus loves each and every one
of you. He’s coming today to give you
Himself. And you remember when we hold
the Host up in front of you and say “Body of Christ”, boys and girls what are
you going to say? “Amen.” That’s right.
You’re saying, “Yes Jesus by that amen.
Thank you for coming to me and I know that You love me and I’m going to
take Your love and pass it around” so
that everybody will know boys and girls how much you love Jesus and how much
you’re going to love your mom’s and dad’s, you’re going to be obedient,
respectful, helpful, smiling, going good things. Alright?
I know you can do it so congratulations to all of you boys and girls on
this beautiful day.
Congratulations to all of
you, the parents and the godparents, the catechists, all the good work that
you’ve done to prepare these children for this very special day.