Today we have a recurring guest blogger: Fr. Arthur F. Rojas, pastor of PRESENTATION OF THE B.V.M CHURCH, PORT EWEN AND SACRED HEART CHURCH, ESOPUS. For more information on this parish, check out their website at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Sacred Heart Churches - Port Ewen - Esopus, NY (presentationsacredheart.org)
Scripture readings for this blog can be found at Third Sunday of Easter | USCCB
Submission to Blog of Dcn. Thomas Tortorella for III Sunday of Easter By Rev. Fr. Arthur F. Rojas © All Rights Reserved Personally by Rev. Fr. Arthur F. Rojas, April 10, 2024 © Alleluia!
Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen! Alleluia!
The gleeful message of Eastertide of the resurrection of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ in body and soul amplifies and does not muffle the Lord’s call to conversion, repentance, and sanctification to the world, as demonstrated by the readings of today in the Ordinary Form. The first and second readings quote Ss. Peter and John directly as their message is conveyed not only to their direct addressees but via the power of the Mass today to you and me. This message is meant to reach us and go through us to the society in which we live. In Luke 24, the source of our Gospel reading today, Our Lord appears in His glorified body to the early Church to reiterate that the message – the complete message of His resurrection as the vindication of Christ’s authority to call mankind to conversion, repentance, and sanctification – to “be preached in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” Lk 24:47. Moreover, since we Catholics hold that the Sacred Scriptures proclaimed or chanted at Mass are directed to us over time and space as well as to their original audience, therefore not only the Apostles and first disciples but you and I are called to be “witnesses of these things.” Lk 24:48. This month, we anticipate the joy of accompanying a number of our beloved children in their First Holy Communion at a number of Sunday or Vigil Masses. For these children to reflect the light and love of God for them and through them to the world (“Lord, let Your face shine on us.” – Ps 4), they need and deserve not only the prayerfully and practically lived faith of our parents and families but also of the larger parish household of God within our churches and as we encounter each other in the town of Esopus and vicinity. The lively eyes of our dear First Holy Communicants will record whether or not the adults in their lives take seriously the greatness of their first encounter with the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, regardless whether we are in a state of grace to receive Holy Communion ourselves. If it is not possible at present for a parishioner to receive Holy Communion worthily, please know that with fidelity to the teachings of the Church, as your pastor and spiritual father I am ready and willing to help you to do so pursuant to the readings of today from Sacred Scripture. The call to bring others to Christ, starting with ourselves, is not limited to the sacraments nor to the walls of our churches and homes, as fundamental as these measures and places are to the Christian life. As persons and as peoples, we disciples of Christ are called to move society in the direction of Gospel values, whether or not these values are now popular. Proof abounds that many forces are pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and normal in society (sociologically known as the “Overton Window”) in directions hostile to God and our very humanity. Instead of fatalism or “going along with the flow,” however, which changes us for the worse instead of the better, may the prayers and example of Ss. Peter, John, and the early Christians as well as the precious faith of our First Holy Communicants strengthen our resolve to demonstrate the courage of our convictions as Catholics, which arise from the Risen Christ’s call to you and me to “be witnesses of these things.” Lk 24:48.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteYES, it is very important that all of us are good witnesses to the truth of the GOSPEL & our belief in the GOSPEL & in the Real Presence of Our LORD JESUS in the Eucharist, especially to the children.
First Holy Communion Day is a day of joyful celebration & also of deep reverence & deep significance. It is very important that the meaning of this day & to the meaning of what happens at every Mass & the importance & the sacred privilege of being able to be active participants in the Mass & to be able to receive Our LORD in Holy Communion worthily & with reverence & devotion at least every weekend at either a Sunday Mass or an anticipatory Saturday Mass & on every holy day of obligation. Being a witness at First Holy Communion Masses can be a good reminder to the rest of us of the special "honeymoon" of being able to receive Our LORD in the Eucharist for the first time (my First Holy Communion was on May 14, 1961), a privilege that is so easily taken for granted.
Taking pictures, if the family & friends follow the guidelines & instructions set out by the pastor, is fine. Having a party after the Mass is fine. But neither the photo opportunities & the party nor the presents given to the children should be considered the "main event". The Mass & receiving Holy Communion must be the focus. Reverent participation at Mass, keeping silent, remaining in the pew, & following directions are very important to keep the proper decorum, to set a good example & to communicate the significance of this holy event. Often First Holy Communion Masses take place on Saturday during the day rather than at the anticipatory Mass or the Sunday Mass, & so it is just essential that the children & their parents return for their children's Second Holy Communion for the Sunday Liturgy. The following day can also be celebrated as a special event & the children can return wearing their First Holy Communion clothing, which is encouraged by the priests in the parish where I sing in the choir. In this way the entire congregation at the Sunday Liturgy can share in the joy & encourage the children.
As a choir member I often sing with other choir members at Saturday First Holy Communion Masses, so this gives me the perspective of what is sorely needed & what the priest & parish staff seek to establish & the challenges they face in maintaining the correct focus.