First Communion

First Communion is always a special time for children, family and the parish. Youngsters, most of whom were baptised as infants, now come forward under their own steam to receive the Lord. In this age we tend to emphasise the ecclesial nature of receiving Holy Communion. As a result, we do not stress the need for a pure conscience as a pre-condition to receiving the Host and the Precious Blood. This is evident in the low numbers of people frequenting the confessional on Saturday mornings. This I think is a positive things as the Eucharist is not a reward for good behaviour but is itself a means of reconciliation and healing. We tend to look at how the Eucharist binds us as Church and focus on our willingness to participate in her mission as members of the Body of Christ.  Nevertheless, the Eucharist does continually challenge us to repent of our sins and to strive to live a better life. As a Communion sacrament, a sacrifice sacrament and a meal sacrament it is a great mystery yet we can know this for certain - it is an encounter with Christ. Whether we respond to this reality as Mary and Martha, Peter, Zacchaeus, Nicodemus or others did in the Gospels depends on us. Whatever my situation is the Eucharist should never leave me unchanged. Even if that means I leave Church feeling gratitude and joy for being blessed with faith and embark on my week with a light heart I can be assured that the Eucharist is at work in me.