Today is a very special day, in so many ways. Jesus tells us how He is the gate to all that is good in life – Heaven – and that He is also our
shepherd, leading us through that gate. But today is also special in that my 8 year old son Joseph is receiving his First Holy Communion. As I reflect on these readings, and this event in my sons life, I find that they go hand-in-hand. And so for my reflection today, I thought I would write him a little letter that someday he will read and hopefully get something out of, and perhaps, each of you will as well.
Dear Joseph,
Today is your First Communion. The first time you are receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. I know you know it’s a big deal, and I know you take this seriously. I can see that in you, and how you act about this day. To you, it’s more about you growing up in the eyes of the Church, but the mystery of this event is still beyond you. Heck, it is for most of us adults. But I hope you truly get to feel today the Holy Spirit within you, the same spirit that I felt when I married your Mom, and when I witnessed you being born into this world, and when I was there, watching you being baptized. I hope you feel God’s Spirit radiate through you, and that feeling of love, and joy, and hope that I feel when I look upon you, and that I know that Jesus has when He looks upon you.
This is such a special day for you, because for the first time, you not only receive Christ in you and come into Communion with Him, but you are also in communion with the rest of us in our Catholic, universal, faith. I pray you feel this son, even if you don’t understand it. I hope you feel this in your heart.
The readings today, buddy, are about Jesus as our Shepherd. This is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, or Vocations Sunday, where we pray and reflect about our role, and really our calling to serving as good Christians out in the world, and following Jesus as our shepherd, our guide in life. This is my hope and prayer for you, that whatever you do in life, you do it out of love and service for God, and always look to Him as your guide, and look to Him for the answers.
I don’t care what you do for a job, or how financially “successful” you are – I just pray that you live a life of love, honesty, and integrity. I pray that you find joy in helping others, and that your heart doesn’t get hardened by this world. I pray that you let God find time in your life, and that you never stop believing in Him, that you never stop trusting in Him, even when you may not have the answers or you may even question why some things happen and don’t see the bigger picture. Even when you think life is boring. I pray that as you grow, you love and embrace your Catholicism and seek to know what it means to be an honorable, Catholic gentlemen in this world. That is my wish for you.
I have so much I want to tell you, so much I want to teach you about this, and I know that will all come in due time. My thoughts weigh deeply about you growing up in a world like this, and right now, I see the joy and wonder in your eyes. You are so young and innocent, and heck, your Mom and I – we’re still learning this ourselves, right along with you. Life is a constant learning process, Joseph, especially when it comes to life itself, our faith, and Christs very truth that he came down from Heaven to give us.
And so, as much as I want to teach you, I know that Jesus can teach you and give you so much more. And as the Gospel reading says today, He is the gatekeeper. Jesus is the gate to Heaven my son, simply put. And yet He is also your guide, your shepherd – He will show you the way. I waited until I was 36 years old before I really sought to know Christ and my faith. I pray that you start your pilgrimage earlier in your life, so you can help many more people along the way.
And today is your first step, not as a child, but as a young man into the faith that we share. Today is your first step through that gate to Heaven. No matter what life throws at you, the joys and excitement, no matter the pain or sorrow – today you experience and take part in the One thing that can save you, and get you through life’s ups and downs.
But here’s the thing. Sometimes, you’re going to wander back out of that gate. This will happen – often. You’ll get curious and you’ll question. You’ll even disobey and run out through that gate only to get lost. This happens to all of us from time to time. And while we don’t want it to happen, it’s okay. That’s life, and living with a free will.
The important thing for you to know and remember, is that that gate never, ever moves. It’s always there – waiting for you to come home. God’s always there, waiting to receive you and be received by you. All you have to do is go to Mass, and don’t stop talking to Him. With God’s grace, the rest will take care of itself and work itself out over time. The Eucharist is your gate to Jesus – it is Jesus – and Jesus is Heaven. And He’s always there, waiting to let you back in. I promise you that. This I know. Don’t get discouraged by this world, and all that can go wrong. Look for Him in all things, and Jesus will help you so much in life if you let Him.
I have so much hope for you. Jesus has so much hope for you. And it’s through Him, in His Sacrifice that we relive today, and His Real Presence that this hope is possible. I know, you don’t understand that yet, and believe me, we never fully grasp it. But it’s true. It’s all true.
The only thing we can do is be thankful for Him, and be grateful for all He did, and what He continues to give us in the Eucharist this day, and every time we come to Mass. This is what Eucharist really means – thanksgiving. Gratitude. None of us are good enough, worthy enough to receive Him. But in a way that only God can – He blesses us with His special Grace so that we can. And for this we are unbelievably thankful. I pray you understand this someday.
Today, you are blessed Joseph. And your Mom and I are so blessed to stand next to you, and take part in this with you. My main goal in life is to lead people to Christ, whether it’s through my writing and my actions, or through simply telling my personal experiences and yes, admitting my mistakes, so others – and you – can see how the grace of God is truly there, guiding us through. Whatever means to this end God places in front of me, I want to show you and others that Jesus is the gate – the only gate – with which we can truly attain peace and happiness. It’s a goal of mine Joseph, to mold you into a good Catholic man, a better man than I, so that you can help as many people, and be a good shepherd to as many people as you can along the way.
And today – I’m leading you, my son, to Him. I will continue to lead you to Him as often as needed buddy, always remember that. But please know that you lead me to Him as well. Even at 8 years old you inspire me, and draw me to God, in ways I can’t explain.
I love you so much Joseph. And God loves you so much more. He’s opening the gate for you today, showing you the way, the way to Heaven. There is no other way, but that which you are doing today. I simply pray that we all follow this way, and that one day, all of us, can be with Him together in that heavenly pasture above – forever.
Love,
Dad.
ACTS 2:14A, 36-41; PS 23; 1 PT 2:20B-25; JN 10:1-10
