This Sunday we celebrated First Holy Communion for three of our children:  Daeson Rhodes, Bethany Markus, and Samantha Moosebroker.  I'm sure even the mention of First Holy Communion brings back memories for all of us as we remember the suits that the boys wore and the white dresses of the little girls, along with the folding of their hands in a gesture of prayer as they walked up in procession to the joy of their parents.  It's a priceless picture to have in one's mind.  The reception of their "First Communion" brought smiles of joy and pride to parents as their faith precipitated this important moment in their child's life and in their family's life.  The hope that I have is always that they will grow in appreciation of and devotion to the gift of Jesus in Holy Communion.

While specific memories of our First Holy Communion might be vague by this point in our lives, I can still remember kneeling down after receiving my FIrst Communion and praying that my family would live long lives on this earth.  While this has happened with some family members (i.e., a grandmother who lived to be 97 years and two uncles and two aunts over 90 years of age), I have also experienced early deaths in my dad (59 years), two uncles (50 and 57 years) and some cousins who have died at ages even younger.  I certainly do not "hold it against God" that some of my family members died relatively young.  I do wish, however, that my First Communion prayer would have been that my family live a long and fruitful "Faith Life" that gives witness to the love and hope that comes from Jesus Christ.  Perhaps I could ask you to pray for that blessing for our First Communion children and their families and for all whose families are blessed to have members who are partaking of the "Living Bread come down from heaven" that brings with it the great hope of eternal life at the banquet feast of heaven.