I have come to realize that shoes are the bane of my existence.
And dress pants — dress pants will be my undoing!
It is always a challenge to find dress clothes to fit little boys who have high insteps and tiny waists, and this conundrum has become more evident as the date of my sons’ first Communion draws near.
For the past couple weeks I have been frantically searching for dress shirts, black pants, clip-on ties and fancy shoes for Joey (8) and John (7), and this unintentionally shifted my focus away from the gift they will receive on May 5.
Thankfully, my husband, Joe, and Scripture helped me to realign my thoughts. After coming home nearly empty handed from a marathon shopping trip April 21, Joe reminded me that the Lord was not wearing fancy clothes or using an ornate chalice when he instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper.
Joe imparted his wisdom as I was researching Scripture passages to include on the blessing cups I was making for the boys to use during a first Eucharist retreat at our parish (see photos below).
"Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.’" (John 6:35)
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26)
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day." (John 6:54)
Why fret about what my sons will wear for one hour of their lives when they will receive eternal life by coming to the Lord’s table for the first time?
Nothing is more important than or as awesome as that.
An altar and a "Jesus Tree" (background) were set up in the parish hall at St. Mary Church in Honeoye for an April 27 retreat for first Communion recipients and their families. The Jesus Tree displayed the photos of the 30-plus children from St. Mary and St. Matthew Church, Livonia, who are receiving first Communion this year.
Eight-year-old Joey Ficcaglia (left) and his brother, John, 7, pose for a photo during the retreat.
