May 05, 2019
Third Sunday of Easter
Boys and girls, I have a memory that takes me back 64 years to a camping trip with my aunt and uncle to the Adirondack Mountains. We camped by a lake. I remember two events vividly. A baby deer wandered into our camp site in distress with porcupine quills stuck in its nose/mouth. My aunt and uncle notified a State Park Ranger to help the fawn. The 2nd thing I remember is my aunt grilling fish my uncle caught on our camp fire. It was delicious.
Today in the Gospel according to John, we have a memory of 7 disciples fishing on the Sea of Galilee. (The disciples, disappointed and sad, had returned home after the death of Jesus on the cross.) They fished all night without a catch. Then Jesus, the Risen Lord, standing on the shore, tells them to drop their nets on the right side of the boat. There is a great catch of fish. One of the disciples, a special friend of Jesus, recognizes the stranger on the shore is Jesus! Simon Peter jumps in the water. With everyone ashore, Jesus invites his friends: “Come, have breakfast.†Jesus serves them fish and bread to eat. What a wonderful moment with Jesus. They come to appreciate that Jesus will always be with them.
Here we are today getting ready to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. We remember the night before Jesus dies on the cross, he is having a special dinner with his friends. Jesus himself sets an example for them by washing their feet. Then he gives them his very self in the bread and wine. This is my body. This is my blood. The consecrated bread and wine are the precious gifts of Jesus’ life and love for his disciples.
Girls and boys, you will remember your First Holy Communion for a long time, perhaps for the rest of your lives. Grandparents and parents – how many remember your First Holy Communion? The secret is to keep on receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. I promise that it will change our lives. Slowly the Jesus we receive in Holy Communion will become more and more a part of our lives. The life of Jesus that we receive will become the life we live and share with others. When we say “Amen†we are saying “yes†not only to receive Jesus in Holy Communion but also to follow Jesus and to deepen our friendship with him.
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Second Sunday of Easter
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4th Sunday of Easter
