First Communion

By Father Janusz

         First Communion...a few words on this very important day. Pope John Paul II wrote a letter “Mane Nobiscum Domine” for the Year of the Holy Eucharist, 2004-2005. In this letter the Pope pointed to the Eucharist as the center of Catholic life. Jesus leads us to the Eucharist and through the Eucharist to eternal life.

       “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over” (Luke 24:29). We remember this picture of two apostles who were on their way to Emmaus on a Sunday when Jesus was risen. They walked with sadness in their hearts, darkness surrounding their minds, and a lot of questions. The day was almost over. Hope and light became again a part of their life because they recognized Him at the table when He broke the bread. We can compare our spiritual life to this discovery. From darkness to light, from death to life, from weakness to strength and hope. Christ is the center of the history of the church but also the center of the history of human beings. To know Jesus better we need to focus on Sunday’s celebration. Holy Eucharist, day of faith, day of resurrection, day of the Holy Spirit. To celebrate this day the pope encourages us to say the Liturgy of the Hours and to say rosaries and other things.

1.) Holy Eucharist - the mystery of the light.

In the Eucharist we celebrate “mysterium fidei” the mystery of faith. Jesus said “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Through the mystery of the hidden Christ, He becomes the mystery of light. The Eucharist is the light during each Mass. The Liturgy of the Word precedes the celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The unity of two tables, word and Eucharist. Fathers of Vatican Council II asked that the “table of the word of God” should open wide the treasury of Holy Scriptures. When the bible is read in the church, Jesus alone is teaching. Recommendations were also given to preach a homily-to explain the word of God and to show the currency of daily Catholic life.