Homily for First Communion

My son Luke had his first communion a couple of weeks ago, and this occasion called for one of my rare appearances at church. As I sat in the congregation, and listened to the priest's sermon, I was struck by how bad it was. In his characteristic monotone, he lamented a world that was becoming secular and pagan, and he rebuked parents for shirking their responsibility to set a good example for their child(ren) by going to church and praying regularly. I am agnostic, but I can see an opportunity for an inspiring homily, especially at a child's first communion. So, I gave myself the challenge of preparing a homily that, I would have appreciated and might have made me want to attend church a little more often.

Homily for First Communion

We are gathered here today to celebrate a very special day in the upbringing of your child in the Roman Catholic Faith.

In a world that is becoming increasingly secular, some people wonder about the relevance of the Church or even, the relevance of God. In our modern world, the spiritual meanings of holidays are fading fast in the wake of the more commercial attributes. In our modern world, the terminology used in Roman Catholic teaching may at times seem esoteric and outdated. When we talk about The Shepherd protecting his flock, there will be children and even adults who have never met a shepherd in their lives, and cannot appreciate the metaphor that was once so perfect and clear. A child may wonder why do I have to be a sheep? I'd rather be a lion or, I'd like to be a dolphin!

Is the Church relevant today? Is God relevant today? I say YES! Of Course! Now, as always! Since the beginning of all civilizations, men and women have looked for guidance, for inspiration and for answers. It is human and it is within all of us, beginning in our children who these days look for guidance and inspiration in athletes and pop stars. It is our nature; it is our need.

God gave us a hero. And He showed us and inspired us to live in goodness and love. So, as long as there exists the potential for human weakness, cruelty and suffering in this world, as long as there exists the potential for anything that makes men and women less than they are meant to be, there will be a need for God. God is Light where there is darkness. Or, even more simply put, God is Good. The origin of the English phrase "Good-bye" is often forgotten or unknown, but this blessing is still used everyday, by many. We keep using this old term because it serves a purpose. When we say goodbye, we want someone whom we won't see to be protected by God.

As parents, grandparents, as uncles and aunts, as adults in these young people's lives, it is your responsibility to feed them, to clothe them, to teach them, to protect them, and it is your blessing to love them. These children know all this comes from you and they love you right back, and this is your blessing as well. However, there are things that are beyond your control, beyond your umbrella of protection and love that your child will encounter sooner or later, and they will appreciate having God's Almighty Love to protect them. And in our modern world that is filled with endless possibilities, some of which are questionable at best, teach them the simple, good and inspiring life of Jesus. This is to be the foundation upon which they can build their lives. And if a child can begin his sheltered, happy life under the umbrella of his family's love, imagine the beautiful life the child can enjoy under the Great Umbrella of Jesus' love. Show your children that they can be safe and grow strong standing under your umbrella, but that your umbrella is under a greater, stronger Umbrella, and that you feel comforted because of this. God gave us a Gift and He continues to offer us gifts. And He continues to inspire and to help us. We can be lions or dolphins, and be great in our lives, because we are doing so with the blessing and love of our family and of God.

-MO