First Confession
This weekend we planned for Myles to make his First Confession and First Holy Communion in my parents' home parish. Our church back in Beijing does not normally offer these to children in any language as most of the parishioners are migrants and return to their hometowns for their children's sacraments. My parents' parish priest has graciously offered to help us.
Friday afternoon, as Myles and I were reviewing what would happen at his Sacrament of Reconciliation, and why it was important to do this before his First Communion, he became very worried. He asked me, "What if I fall?"
I was not sure what he meant, so I asked for clarification, thinking he really meant that he was afraid he would not make a proper confession. But no, that wasn't his biggest concern.
"What if I fall, after my confession? What if I fall back into sin? What if it's like two feet flying in the air falling? How can I take communion then?" he sighed worriedly.
This was something I was not prepared to address. As much as I have hoped to catechize him for this weekend (and the rest of his life), I myself was not ready to deal with a seven-year-old's scrupulosity. He was only mildly satisfied with my answer that God knows us and loves us, and understands our weaknesses, and really wants us in Communion with Him.
His confession was scheduled for Saturday afternoon. We had a family picnic today, too, so we left in the middle of it to meet the priest at the church. In the car on the way over, Myles gave me a few more worried sighs. We met Father at the church, and I waited out of range of hearing.
When he returned to me, Myles was all smiles. "That was easier than I thought it would be!"
As we drove back to the picnic, he could not stop smiling, and commented, "I can't believe how good I feel right now!" He continued to remark on his feelings of elation all afternoon.
I reminded him that he had to complete his penance which Father had assigned him before he went to bed. He did, right before bedtime, and told me again about how amazing he felt, even more so with his penance completing his reconciliation. The smile returned to his face, bigger than ever.
What was it Jesus said about becoming like little children?
Post script: I often call Myles my bright, shiny boy. He has such a happy earnestness about himself that I don't know of any other way to describe him. Saturday afternoon he was really bright and shiny. Grace is a wonderful thing.
Friday afternoon, as Myles and I were reviewing what would happen at his Sacrament of Reconciliation, and why it was important to do this before his First Communion, he became very worried. He asked me, "What if I fall?"
I was not sure what he meant, so I asked for clarification, thinking he really meant that he was afraid he would not make a proper confession. But no, that wasn't his biggest concern.
"What if I fall, after my confession? What if I fall back into sin? What if it's like two feet flying in the air falling? How can I take communion then?" he sighed worriedly.
This was something I was not prepared to address. As much as I have hoped to catechize him for this weekend (and the rest of his life), I myself was not ready to deal with a seven-year-old's scrupulosity. He was only mildly satisfied with my answer that God knows us and loves us, and understands our weaknesses, and really wants us in Communion with Him.
His confession was scheduled for Saturday afternoon. We had a family picnic today, too, so we left in the middle of it to meet the priest at the church. In the car on the way over, Myles gave me a few more worried sighs. We met Father at the church, and I waited out of range of hearing.
When he returned to me, Myles was all smiles. "That was easier than I thought it would be!"
As we drove back to the picnic, he could not stop smiling, and commented, "I can't believe how good I feel right now!" He continued to remark on his feelings of elation all afternoon.
I reminded him that he had to complete his penance which Father had assigned him before he went to bed. He did, right before bedtime, and told me again about how amazing he felt, even more so with his penance completing his reconciliation. The smile returned to his face, bigger than ever.
What was it Jesus said about becoming like little children?
Post script: I often call Myles my bright, shiny boy. He has such a happy earnestness about himself that I don't know of any other way to describe him. Saturday afternoon he was really bright and shiny. Grace is a wonderful thing.
Comments
is there anything more wonderful than passing on the faith to our children?