March 1, 2025: First Holy Communion Homily: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Seffner, Florida

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Did you listen attentively to the Gospel reading? Yes? Let me test you… What did Jesus say?

Did He say, “Whoever eats my bread and drinks my wine?” 

No! He said, “Whoever eats my FLESH and drinks my BLOOD remains in me and I in him.”

Yes, when you receive Holy Communion, you are receiving the real flesh and blood of Jesus. I am sure Fr. Roy, your catechists, parents and the whole parish community have prepared you well for this day, so you know what you are receiving today.

But what I want to focus on now is the last part where Jesus says, ‘remains in me and I in him’.

29 years ago in 1996, I received my First Holy Communion. I was eight years old, but I still remember that day vividly. I remember the preparations, my First Reconciliation, and the excitement I felt when I lined up to receive Jesus for the very first time. I remember seeing the priest dipping the Precious Body into the Precious Blood, and then that precious moment – Jesus’ body and blood rested on my tongue. So sweet, so fragrant, so unforgettable!

At that moment, I really felt that Jesus became a part of me, and He remains a big part of my life since then.

Parents, do you still remember the day of your first holy communion? Raise your hands if you remember…

Good! So, children, when you go home today, please ask your parents to tell you about their experiences and you tell them what you will experience very soon.

My father remembered his First Holy Communion very clearly too. It was very special because it was the first celebration of First Holy Communion for his parish. And he wrote about it in the parish bulletin 50 years later in 2004, when the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary. That event was unforgettable for my father and for the whole parish.

Will this celebration today be unforgettable for you too?

Everyone around you has worked hard to make this day special and memorable. They will take a lot of pictures to make sure you can always look back and remember the moments of today. The Church has been waiting for this day. Your families have been waiting for this day. You have also been waiting for this day.

But there is someone who has been waiting very eagerly for this day, since the day you were baptized, do you know who?

No, not Fr. Roy. It is Jesus.

Jesus wants this day more than anyone. He wants that special moment with you much more than you do. He wants to enter your heart and be united with you spiritually, physically, totally.

When you receive Holy Communion, you and Jesus become one. His flesh is united with your flesh, His blood flows with your blood, His heart beats with your heart. Isn't that amazing?

Some of you might forget details of this day as you grow up, but Jesus will never forget. Your First Holy Communion is very, very special, very important and precious for Jesus.

So, children, I want you to do this seriously later. Immediately after you receive Holy Communion, do not look at anything or anyone, do not think about anything else, do not talk to anyone else, but just be with Jesus fully, think about Him, talk to Him, go back to your seat prayerfully, kneel in reverence and remain in Him as He remains in you.

Treasure that moment with Jesus. Keep that moment intimate and memorable. If you have nothing to tell Jesus, just keep silent with Him, He might have something to tell you, listen to Him.

Parents and everyone else, I ask you also to be very mindful of that precious moment when your children receive Jesus, please do not talk to them or fuss about their clothes or their smiles for the pictures. Let them keep focused on Jesus, nothing else is more important than that.

As you yourselves receive Jesus in your Holy Communion, I encourage you to also maintain that reverence and prayerfulness, know that Jesus’ flesh and blood is entering your own flesh and blood. That moment is the holiest moment of your life. That union is the most precious.

Jesus says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”

Children, you have prepared well for this day - you learned your prayers, did your First Reconciliation, and your hearts are ready for Jesus. Cherish your first Holy Communion, but make sure it is not your last. Reconciliation and Holy Communion are the two sacraments you can receive as often as possible. Don’t forget Jesus, because He will never forget you. Remain in Him.

I wish you joy.

I wish you love.

I wish you peace.

I wish you faith.

I wish you hope.

And above all, I wish you Jesus.

Amen.


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