Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.”Jesus placed his hands on them to bless them. (Mt 19:14-15)
May 8th, 2021, was the start of an incredibly special and important time in the lives of 29 children. It was the day of their First Confession. They came to Jesus to ask His forgiveness for their sins. It was the time in their life when Jesus Christ in his love and mercy, offered them the chance to be forgiven
for their offenses against God. This moment in their lives they became accountable to God for their actions. Confession brings healing to their souls so that they can move forward and climb the ladder to their eternal reward, His promise of Eternal Life with Him.
On Sunday, May 9th, 2021, Mother’s Day, the children came to church and were greeted in the vestibule by Fr. Serhiy. He lit the candle each child held symbolizing the banishment of the darkness of sin from their lives and to remind them that Christ is the light that will shine a path for them in life if they continue to follow His words. During the Divine Liturgy they received the Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord through the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Bread broken and joined with wine in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus that was broken and poured at the cross when He gave His life for the forgiveness of their sins. Receiving the Holy Eucharist does not only remind us of Christ’s suffering but also shows us the amount of love Christ had for us. By receiving the spiritual body and blood of Christ, He lives in us and us in him. We connect with Jesus Christ not only in the memory of his death, but in the spiritual life he gives to us through this Holy Mystery. There is no more precious gift that these children can receive than the one they did on Sunday.
I cannot imagine that there could be a better Mother's Day gift for any Mother than witnessing their child become one with Jesus Christ as they received His Body and Blood after having partaken in the Mystery of Confession. A very proud moment for sure! Congratulations to all these young boys and girls. May your love for Jesus burn bright in your hearts just like the flame of the candle you carried into church.
