As I Have Loved You

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from May 06, 2007

"He will dwell with them and they will be His people." Rev 21:3

"As I have loved you, so you also should love one another." Jn 13:34

"How do you know your parents love you? What are the signs?" The First Communion candidates answered, "kisses", "hugs", "they say so", "when we are hurt they take care of us", "they feed us." "What kind of special food do they prepare for you that tell you that they care?" They answered, "pizza, pasta, shrimp, rice, chocolate fountain."

My mother was not comfortable telling us how much she loved us. She showed her care through food. Our favorite was brown bread, known here as soda bread. When we smelt it baking in the kitchen, we knew she was thinking of us and providing for us.

In similar ways, we know God's love for us. God tells us that we are loved. We hear his word in the Scriptures, which were read to us so beautifully today by our children. Words like Pamphylia were no trouble to our candidates. When Jesus was preparing to leave us He gave us the great sign of His care, the Bread of Life. When we come to His table we know that we are loved. We know that Jesus is with us. May all of us approach the altar today with our children as if it were our first time to taste the bread from heaven. May our first communicants feel Jesus' loving presence in a special way not only today but all the days of their lives.