Wednesday Evening

Opening Prayer: Lord, as we prepare for First Holy Communion this week, help us to keep our focus on You and the great gift we are to receive of Your Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

Bible Reading: The gospel of John 6:48–51

(Allow a few moments of silence to think about the reading.)

Reflection (child, parent, or older sibling reads):

Throughout the Bible there are many times in which “bread” plays an important part. But this Bible reading is the first time we hear Jesus call himself “living bread”, which is different than bread that we eat when we are hungry. Just as we eat bread or other food to nourish our bodies to live, Holy Communion does the same thing for our spiritual lives. In order to really grow in our Christian life, we need the nourishment of Holy Communion. Every time we receive Holy Communion, the special life of grace that we received when we were baptized is renewed and increased, “our batteries are recharged”. Jesus is alive in Holy Communion. That is why he calls himself the “living bread”. He wants to nourish us not only with his words, which we hear on the outside, but with his whole self, which we receive in Holy Communion on the inside. Many saints would not go a day without receiving Holy Communion—they depended so much on the strength they received from Jesus in the Eucharist. A few saints were even given a special grace and lived on no other food other than Holy Communion each day! These saints serve as signs for us of the miraculous power and presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Through Holy Communion, Jesus nourishes our soul, protects us against sin and strengthens us to live holy lives. This is why First Holy Communion and every other Holy Communion we receive are such great gifts from God and reasons for celebration!

Discussion: Have siblings and parents talk about how the “living bread” of Jesus in Holy Communion helps nourish their spiritual life and “recharge their batteries”. Have child and family discuss ways we can better prepare ourselves to receive this great “living bread” every Sunday.

Focus: Take a picture of the Jesus (a crucifix, an icon, or painting) and place it somewhere the family can see it all week long (centerpiece of your table, countertop, mantel, etc…). Let it be a reminder to everyone that Jesus is alive in Holy Communion nourishing us with his love and grace!

Final Prayer: (Child offers a final prayer on behalf of the family. Other family members then offer a prayer for God’s blessing on the child for his/her First Communion.) You can then end with a Hail Mary or Our Father. Amen.