“Two people can see a miracle. The one with faith will praise God; the one without will find some way to forget it or explain it away…Miracles and signs don’t produce people of deep faith, because invariably what such people want is another sign next Friday night to carry them through another week. That’s the depth of their religion. For them God is more like their private magician than someone they love and serve. Miracles, however, are signs for those who already have faith—faith that God is in all things. (from “What the Mystics Know” by Fr. Richard Rohr OFM, p 71)

I have been praying with this above quote for the past week as we prepare to enter into the season of First Communions and Confirmations in the parish. It is a time when we see little miracles occur in abundance as the children come forward and for the first time receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. It is a time that give me, as a parish priest, joy and hope.
This is truly a trans-formative moment for these children and their families but as Fr. Rohr notes above: What do they see? It is too easy to simply see the pretty dresses, the new suits, the big smiles and the joyful expressions of the children and those around them. We can explain it all away with emotion, excitement and the momentary shot in the arm that comes from “religion” but does not enter into the life of faith and the relationship with God.
What should we be seeing? This is what my prayer has been this week…what does God want me to see?
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mk 10:14)
First, I see a saint in the making. The miracle of God calling this young boy or girl into a life of holiness of loving and serving all people. I see the miracle of these children wishing and striving to bring joy into the world as sons and daughters and as sisters and brothers. I see the miracle of a deep yearning to be connected to love, a love that is so grand and joyous that each child is bursting with the holy peace of Christ.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11)
Second, I see hope. On these days the troubling thoughts of will they continue or when will the second holy communion happen disappear from my thoughts. Hope in God’s greater and more loving mercy overwhelms the doubts of fears of worry. I see the miracle of hope of a child engaged in conversation with Jesus and coming to say “amen” to a truth and mystery they cannot fully understand but trusting in the community of the Church reach out to become what they receive. I see the miracle of a family united with the greater family of the Church where everything that separates us slips into the background and only the image of Jesus gathering the children to him remains for this moment.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thes 5:18)
Lastly, I see grace flowing forth into the world. This grace is the gift of gratitude coming from the heart of the Church, Jesus’ Sacred Heart, transforming us and the world as we go forth filled with the grace received through our sacramental life. I see the grace of gratitude in the conversion of hearts which can only occur through the deep and profound encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Yes, admittedly in the days and weeks to come, my worries, fears and doubts will cloud the miracles I will see during the coming days as too many of these children will be absent from our pews, but with faith, hope and love I invite each of us to continue to pray in the peace and blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ that his grace rest upon these children and their families all the days of their life.
God Bless
Fr. Mark