THE JOY AND EXCITEMENT OF RECEIVING JESUS FOR THE FIRST TIME
First communion is a very important sacrament in a child’s life since it is the beginning of his/her spiritual journey. I was privileged to accompany six children of different age in our nearby community last summer preparing them for the first communion. Every Saturday and Sunday children attended religious instruction and learning the basic prayers and the meaning and importance of the sacraments and receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. It took me four months with lots of patience and dedication to make them ready for the occasion. It is definitely worth it in the end when you see them going for confession with excitement and fear to express their sins and afterwards a big smile on their faces. It made me realize that I have dealt with innocent souls and brought these children closer to Jesus.
Hence, on the feast of Jesus’ Transfiguration, August 6, 2023, was the happiest day of these three young boys and three girls who received Jesus’ for the first time. The parents and the whole community of Our Lady of Pillar Chapel in Baliwasan Chico rejoiced and welcomed the communicants together with Rev. Fr. Jeff Rayas, CMF who administered the sacrament of reconciliation and the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. The experience after so many years assisting and facilitating children to receive Jesus made me feel happy that I was able to lead the children and taught them to the best I can, the faith and the great love of Jesus to the little ones.
As Christian and religious missionary, I am called to be Christ body in the world. To be God’s hand to bless his people, to be feet to go about doing good, and eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world. Every day we received Christ body given to us, how do we practice in our witnessing (you and even myself) as His body in the world today?
Jessica F. Badiang
Zamboanga
