Homily: April 26, 2026, First Holy Communion Mass

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Today is a beautiful day. Because something beautiful is going to happen soon.

Do you know what is so special about today?

As a priest, this is one of the days I look forward to every year. It is also one of the days Jesus Himself looks forward to every year, at every parish in the world.

Jesus has been waiting for you to receive Him in Holy Communion. And it is a great joy, a great honor for me to give you Jesus for the first time in your life.

Jesus is very happy. I am very happy. Your teachers are happy. Your parents are happy. Our St. Ambrose parish family is also very happy.

Are you happy too?

And you know what makes me happier than this?

To give you Jesus again and again, week after week, from today onwards. After today, you should be able to receive Jesus at every Mass.

Today is a very special day for you. A day you will remember all your life. Today is also a special day for Jesus, a day He does not forget at all. He remembers everybody’s First Holy Communion.

From the moment you were baptized and became a true child of God, Jesus has been waiting for this day.

Today, Jesus comes into your heart. His heart and your heart will be united as one. And it is not by imagination, it is for real. Today, you and Jesus become very close, better than best friends.

I want you to remember this for the rest of your life:

If you have Jesus, you have everything.

If you don’t have Jesus, you have nothing.

And if ever life gets difficult, if you ever feel sad, sick, worried or afraid, if Jesus is with you, you are never alone.

And even if one day you become very successful, you have lots of money, a good job, and everything you wanted, but if Jesus is not in your life, all those things will not make you happy, something will always be missing.

Because only Jesus can truly fill your heart and bring joy to your soul.

In the Gospel today, we heard that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep.

Sheep always feel safe when their shepherd is with them.

They are not afraid. They are happy.

In the same way, when Jesus is with us, we will be safe, we will be at peace deep inside, and our souls will be happy.

So how do we be with Jesus and stay close to Him always?

By living in grace. By being in a state of grace always.

What does that mean?

Grace means God living in your heart. When we do the right things that please God, we grow in grace. When we sin, when we do things that go against God, we will lose that grace.

That is why it is so important to go to Confession as soon as we commit a sin. When we do something bad, and we know is wrong, we should quickly go for confession and restore the grace that God wants us to have. Jesus will forgive you and you can receive Him in Holy Communion, He can fill your heart again.

And remember, there is nothing, absolutely nothing in this world, that is unforgivable for Jesus. If you are truly sorry and confess it fully, Jesus will forgive you.

Jesus’ Spirit is everywhere, but He is present in a very special way in the Eucharist – totally and fully, spiritually and physically.

That is why you should come to Mass as often as you can, at least every Sunday. Come to receive Jesus again and again.

If your parents forget to bring you, remind them! If they forget again, tell me about it, and I will remind them! 😊

When you receive Jesus into your heart later, He is truly and fully present with you, so open your heart and talk to Him, do not talk to your friends after receiving Jesus. Instead, spend time to focus on being united with Jesus, who is your God, your Savior, your best, best friend, your Good Shepherd.

He knows you and loves you. Love Him too.

Amen.


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