A Girl Named Ava Made Her First Communion This Morning.

While that might seem to be a common enough occurrence, there were a few variables that set this occasion apart. She was a bit older than the usual age of seven for this Sacrament—she looked to be around thirteen years old. It’s also the end of summer and a normal, ordinary, run-of-the-mill weekday, instead of a select Saturday in May.

She came with her parents, little sister, and two aunts, and they sat in the front row of the chapel during morning Mass. When Father introduced her at the beginning and told of this special occasion, there was a collective gasp in the small congregation. Father Bob smiled warmly and spoke in his beautifully strong, baritone voice, “I told you, Ava, that you couldn’t have picked a better spot to make your First Communion, because these people here are the regulars. They are the foundation of the Church. It’s like you are celebrating with all your grandparents and aunties.”

Everyone laughed as he continued, “You see they understand the great importance of what you are doing today. They come every day to this Table, because they recognize that the Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Catholic faith. It’s the most important thing, and they know that, and they are going to be praying for you and your family as you receive Jesus for the first time, that it will only be the beginning of a very real, intimate, life-long relationship with Christ.”

I watched this young teenager in her simple, white dress as he spoke to her and the full chapel, and smiled inwardly that there are still young people in this mixed-up, broken world who are making good choices. It was just an ordinary day—but for this young lady, it was so much more! And for all those faithful Catholics who fly so regularly under the radar it was a monumental day, because we were once again receiving everything. Jesus is everything!

The regulars, the pillars of the Church know this—as much as a mere tiny, human brain can understand such things. I looked again during the Mass to her family and through the joyously loud, singing voices I thought of how this was the epitome of Evangelization. Witnesses all! This family couldn’t help but hear and see and feel the depth of joy surrounding them. The results of frequent Communion were a palpable thing and I think everyone felt it as we could reflect on our own First Communions. Ava’s young witness inspired us as well to renew our thanksgiving once again in the Gift we were all receiving.

Tears. I’m a crybaby. I get soaked into the fold and I am so unspeakably grateful that it comes out of my eyes. I’m grateful that the Blessed Mother picked me up and carried me to her Son once again. I’m so blessed to be a part of this faith-filled community—those who know just exactly how awesome it is that we get to come every day to receive Jesus! I’m profoundly grateful to the great mercy of God that a miserable sinner like me can dip into the Well of Everlasting Life! I’m grateful for being grateful! Are you kidding me? It’s tremendous!

In a mixed up, broken world there is still good. There are still those who fly under the radar and daily go before the throne of God and pray and beg and praise and adore… We lift up our sinful hearts to the God of all goodness and mercy and we humbly receive all that any human could hope to have. Everything. And it’s not exclusively for these chosen few. It is for everyone. Jesus wants everyone.

He waits. Day in and day out He waits for us to come. He calls to all of us, inviting all to the wellspring of mind-blowing, unbelievable grace. And in the course of what appears to be an ordinary, average day, we get to receive the Pearl of Greatest Value. Jesus! Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Halleluiah!

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; who-ever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world (John 6:51).”