Where We Need to Go

"We are in such urgent need of an education toward inwardness. We need to be taught to enter into the heart of things." Joseph Ratzinger

Last Sunday was First Communion Sunday at All Saints. That day is always a beautiful one. The girls had their hair all done in curls and veils, while the boys sported handsome ties and shirts, and some boys even wore full white suits! But even these glorious outside garments displayed only a dim reflection of the disposition of these joyful children.

I just wanted to share a few memories (so I don't forget). Several years ago, a fifth grader named Emma who was receiving her First Communion gave me a gift of a wrist corsage and a card that said, "Don't ever stop doing what you are doing." Memories like these make me want to continue in this work forever.

• Two different parents told me that their child woke on Sunday morning and said, "I have been waiting for this since I was born!" 
• On our retreat the day before First Communion, the children received their First Reconciliation. One of the parents told me that her daughter was so excited about the gift of absolution and being made clean again that she wanted to go again the next day!
• Another child drew this picture during the time of Thanksgiving after Mass on Sunday. I asked her about it and she said that the figures are of her and Jesus. There is a road to hell (that goes up the page), but Jesus is taking her on the road to heaven.

• A boy was a little restless when he began a work called "prayer writing" in the balcony on the retreat. He didn't know what to write. Before long, he had written four prayers. One of them recalled his study of the True Vine during the weeks leading up to this day. He wrote "my fruit is love."
• A catechist observing the sweet responses and the depth of the children's insights wiped her eyes and leaned over to me, asking, "How do you not cry with joy all of the time?" While another catechist poured out her joy at the gift of being able to serve these children who are such a witness of joy.
• One of the presenters at the May parent meetings told me that he had to completely change his presentation because the parents in the class were nothing like he expected. He thought he'd have to talk them into attending Mass regularly and to entering into this experience with their children. The parents completely knocked him over with their faithfulness and joy.

There are many who look at the world and worry about the future, but from the perspective of one who works with young children and their families, I do not worry about the future. I see such a great hope in those little faces. I am confident they will lead us where we need to go.

"Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat;

The calf and the young lion shall browse together,

with a little child to guide them." Isaiah 11:6