Food for the Journey

Yesterday was quite interesting in terms of contrast.

On the one hand, I was part of a First Communion celebration, rejoicing with my young nephew and his family as he received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time.

On the other hand, I was part of a Eucharistic celebration in the evening at my mother-in-law’s retirement home where I was about 40 years younger than most people there.

It struck me that the folks at the retirement home were receiving the same Jesus in the Eucharist that my nephew was receiving for the first time. How many times had these people received the Eucharist in their lives since their First Holy Communion? Thousands I’m sure. And for some, the comunion they were receiving yesterday will be very near to their last on earth.

As I watched the folks at the retirement home receive communion, I wished that my nephew could be there to see them, still receiving Jesus in the Eucharist decades after their First Communion. They were profound witnesses to the fact that Jesus and Jesus alone is the Food for the journey…the only true source of nourishment.

I was inspired by both ends of the spectrum: by my nephew’s excitement over his First Communion and by the life-long commitment to the Eucharist by my mother-in-law and the folks at the retirement home.

And I’m right in the middle hoping to maintain the excitement about the Eucharist that my nephew has as well as the enduring commitment to the Eucharist that the folks at the retirement home have.

On this Mother’s Day, may our Blessed Mother lead all of us to a deeper commitment to her Son, Jesus, who is Food for the Journey.

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms, grandmothers, godmothers, and those who are like-a-mom!