The Shiny Shoes
My oldest son just had his First Holy Communion.
The church was packed, of course, and my parents (who were sitting in the back) observed a travesty going on: visitors from everywhere, rolling around in the aisles and swinging from rafters with cameras and tripods, waving like monkeys and gesturing to each other and all that. They acted like blind, thoughtless fools—let’s just say it. It doesn’t bother me, because I don’t think they knew any better because in all likelihood no one ever told them that people in Catholic churches ought to behave like Moses before the burning bush—because the burning bush signified that God was especially present, which meant that the ground all around it was holy ground. You shut up and listen in places like that—that’s the right response.
But whatever. Frankly, I turned them all off with an invisible dial on the side of my head that is connected to a mental filter that shuts out dumbness. My concentration was entirely on the Mass and my boy’s relation to it.
He was chosen to bring up the gifts. On his return from the altar his big, blue eyes found me—and he smiled the most natural, beautiful smile of all time.
And when he finally received (on the TONGUE, thank you—take THAT, Establishment That Hates Reception on the Tongue!!) I nearly fell over. I mean that literally, because there was some guy with a motorized tripod in the pew directly in front of me.
My boy was awesome. I know every parent thinks this way about their kid receiving First Holy Communion, but that doesn’t make it less true, does it? And to top it all off I suddenly realized that all my other little kids were craning their necks to see, all of them excited and fascinated, proud of their brother, eager to follow in his footsteps.
“Just keep bringing them to the table,”I heard a voice say in my head.
I'm sorry...were You speaking to me?
Yeah, that’s right: God spoke to me at that moment. Cool, huh?
And, no, I won’t admit to you that I got all choked up. That would just be plain embarrassing.
For everybody receiving the Eucharist for the first time, young or old: cherish it! It’s the greatest gift we have. It’s food, it’s medicine, it’s Life Himself in what appears to be—of all the ridiculous things—a piece of bread!!
That’s just deeply, deeply awesome.
God bless!
That was really special until you spoiled it by seeing your son’s intimate moment with Christ as a means of thumbing your nose at those who you are not as perfect as you are. Most of what you write is funny and I get your humor, but that line ought to provoke some self reflection and a trip to the confessional.
I’d like to give you the benefit of the doubt, Elizabeth, so I’ll ask, are you just having a particularly bad day? If so, maybe you need to turn off your computer and call it a day.
Your comment was startlingly uncharitable and unfair. I don’t see Dan thumbing his nose at anyone. All I see is a father’s unbridled delight.
I guess I feel bad for you. Only a deeply troubled soul would interpret this as you have and then leave an ugly comment on a father’s post about his son’s 1st Holy Communion. Perhaps you’re the one who need to visit the Confessional. Peace be with you, Elizabeth. I mean that sincerely.
Actually I was referring to his response as the host was placed on his son’s tongue “Take that, you establishment who don’t receive communion on the tongue!” That spoiled the moment, for me. Does that make me a deeply troubled soul? Nope, just someone who tries not to let individual moments of beauty from God morph into personal gloating against others I (or he in this case) might feel are not as holy as I am. The cameras thing is understandable. However, I am happy to take any prayers so thanks Joyce! And congratulations to the little boy – a very special moment indeed.
No, what makes you a troubled soul is that you are audacious enough to tell people they need to go to Confession.
From my read Dan wasn’t insulting people who receive on the tongue, he was expressing understandable frustration at a culture (within the American Catholic Church) that often tries to stand in the way of people who desire to do so.
Thanks for another excellent post, Dan! Very touching.
As a fellow father, I can relate. My son made his 1st Holy Communion last year and it blew me away. Great blog, man.
Our pastor has a rule, no pictures until Mass is over. He’s pretty clear on it with the parents beforehand, and has no problem stopping Mass if someone comes up and tries to take pics/video and embarrass them. You can take as many as you want afterwards. First Communion goes smoothly without anyone becoming monkeys.
Great post! Keep bringing these posts to the table please….
Congratulations!
What a beautiful moment for all involved! Thank you for sharing with us.
Also. Your writing is full of win, and I’m left wondering that that black and white photo at the bottom is Robert Englund. It looks like him.
hhaaha! i thought of eli wallach! tuco, from the good the bad and the ugly.