This photo shows our newest member receiving her first communion after her chrismation. Receiving communion is a joy for all Orthodox Christians. In fact, when she got back to her pew, she said, “Let’s do that again!”
Scripture tells us that we can often find the joy of the Kingdom in children; watching a little one take communion with such joy is an example of the joy we all receive when we commune with the living Lord.
It seems that children, somehow, understand the power of such a simple act. They see the mystical side of the sacrament, seeing Christ’s body and blood present before them. They somehow know that they are standing in the presence of the creator, and his joy shines through them.
St. Ambrose, an early western saint, tells us,
“[Christ] is the bread of life. Whoever eats life cannot die … Go to him and take your fill, for he is the bread of life. Go to him and drink, for he is the spring. Go to him and be enlightened, for he is the light. Go to him and become free, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom … ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'” (PL 15, 1203)
But, sometimes, as adults, we make it too complicated.
Instead of seeing the joy in communing, we get caught up in rules and regulations. Or, we get caught up in theological disputes about *how* the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.
Instead of hearing the promise of life in Christ’s words, we close ourselves to the spiritual reality of the Eucharist.
This was even true in biblical times.
“’I tell you the solemn truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood resides in me, and I in him.’ … Then many of his disciples, when they heard these things, said, ‘This is a difficult saying! Who can understand it?’ When Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining about this, he said to them, ‘Does this cause you to be offended?’ … After this many of his disciples quit following him and did not accompany him any longer.” (John 6:53-56, 60-61, 66)
Photos, like this one, remind us of God’s promise of Life found in the Eucharist.
It reminds us of the joy of receiving Christ and the way it transforms us.
Seeing a child commune tells us that there’s hope for us yet. We are able to be transformed and inherit the Kingdom.
After all, Jesus said,
“I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven! Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:3-5)
So, the next time the priest comes out of the altar and says, “In the fear of God, with faith and love draw near,” let us not hold back, but become like children and receive our Lord!
A beautiful moment
Amen, Justin!