This weekend here at St. Jude Church we celebrated First Holy Communion, a day of joy and love for all, especially for our young boys and girls who received our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist for the first time. Their journey in life will forever be strengthened by this sanctifying sacrament. May they continue to be nourished at the altar of God and live the Eucharistic life of Christ. And for all of us: may we, too, receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with reverence and purity of heart at Sunday Mass, and so enter more deeply into the Mystery of Faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “the mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as the perfection of spiritual life and end to which all the sacraments tend” (CCC #1374). Our faith tells us that His presence does not cease as our worship ends. Jesus Christ is truly risen! He lives! His presence is always with us as he promised: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20).
Our Catholic faith then presents us with a unique and wonderful opportunity to be with our Lord. Through prayer and contemplation we can come to know more intimately Christ our Lord present among us. Let us use our time wisely and make more of an effort to receive the Eucharist at Mass, prayer, Scripture, and also come to the Blessed Sacrament at St. Jude Church (open every day from 8:30am to 4:00pm) and spend some quiet time with our Lord Jesus.
Every Friday we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 3:00pm where we begin praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Benediction is at the end of the Holy Hour. Participating at Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is another way of nurturing our relationship with Jesus. Those moments of silence in front of our Lord Jesus allows us to be more open to the workings of the Holy Spirit. I encourage all to participate with us in prayer and contemplation before the sacred Altar and to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Question for reflection: Are there areas in my life that I need to slow down so that I can be still and present to Jesus, who is constantly present to me?
Congratulations to all of our young boys and girls who made their First Holy Communion this weekend at St. Jude Church! May God continue to bless each of you and grow more and more in the love of Christ by receiving the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of our Lord, at every Sunday Mass!
St. Jude, pray for us ~
Blessings,
Fr. Ryan