yesterday our sweet little bird made her first holy communion.
and in a surprise to most of our family, she not only did a reading during the mass, but performed a song and sang hallelujah.
my beautiful seven year old daughter stood at the podium in a dress borrowed from our dear friend, rocking sneakers we spent weeks bedazzling, with hair styled by my girlfriend, wearing jewelry from friends and family. every item special.
she looked like an angel.
then janet opened her mouth and sang.
by herself.
in front of hundreds of people.
our priest father ben likes to remind our congregation of a famous expression from st. augustine. “when you sing you pray twice.” the catechism of the catholic church reinforces the idea of music and song intensifying prayer and helping worshippers connect with god.
one of my favorite bible passages states, “for where two or three are gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them.” matthew 18:20.
i don’t claim to known much about anything in this life.
but i do know with every single cell of my body there is a god and he is so good.
god was present in our church yesterday.
the spirit was palpable. energizing. real.
a current ran through our congregation.
god is alive.
he is worshipped.
he is praised.
he is called on in our darkest hours of need.
he is thanked on our most wonderful days.
he is the one we look to when we fall to our knees.
he is who we teach our children to model.
yesterday hundreds of people beared witness as little catholics stood before loved ones and for the first time received the body and blood of christ.
watching my daughter take the eucharist, read a verse, and proudly lift her voice to god was unquestionably one of the greatest moments of my life.
may god continue to bless us all.
