‘The Lord has truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)
An email with a video attached came into my email this morning. It was from Emily’s Mam forwarding a video of Emily singing the song ‘Grow in Love’. It is delightful and as I observed it I drew my own conclusion. It spoke of the beauty and joy of a child giving thanks to God in song. You will find the video on the Veritas Grow in Love website www.veritas.ie
The Gospel read by the priest at Mass today (Jn 6:30-35) which can be heard on the webcam or read in the New Testament, tells of the Jews asking Jesus about his work and for a sign that they might believe in him. They witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the 5000. On that occasion, they wanted to make him king but Jesus saw what was happening and withdrew to a quiet place to pray. The Jews recall the manna Moses gave their ancestors in the desert. God is giving them a greater gift than manna.
God is giving them ‘true bread from heaven’, Christ, ‘who will give life to the world’ not only here on earth but for eternal life. To receive Christ one must believe in him sent by God and make a personal commitment to him. The crowd ask Jesus for ‘this bread always.’ Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.’ In the ‘I am’ statement, God gives Godself-the ‘I am’ refers to how God introduced Godself in the burning bush to Moses.
This is Jesus’ desire for the children as they explore the Grow in Love programme- that they will never hunger or thirst, because they are assured of Jesus’ presence with them always. Firstly, they experience God’s love in the love of their parents/ guardians, siblings, grandparents and teachers. They receive love, give love and perceive God’s love as they grow in love.
At this time of lockdown children waiting to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time are looking for a sign that this will happen. Children who wait to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and the coming of the Holy Spirit hope for a sign that this will take place. In the waiting, there is room for preparation, prayer and opportunities to deepen one’s personal relationship with Jesus.
Due to the restrictions of Covid-19 it is not possible for the faithful to receive Holy Communion at Mass. However, it is possible to receive a spiritual communion which is explained best in the words of the prayer itself (as below). Disciples continue to follow Jesus each day by seeking and finding him in other people and in the environment and by reaching out in an active love.
To help children prepare and deepen their commitment to Jesus there is access to the e-books to read Scripture, video lyrics and vimeos, sing songs and hymns, pray and chat about their life and friendship with Jesus. Throughout Grow in Love many online activities and journal exercises can be accessed on the VERITAS website:
Logon: www.veritas.ie
Email: trial@growinlove.ie
Password: growinlove
SONGS to help us in our life with Jesus are available as lyrics video lyrics on the website: ‘Grow in Love Song’, ‘Circle of Friends‘, ‘The Last Supper’, ‘Eat this Bread’, ‘Ithigí an t-Arán Seo’ ‘Close To You’, ‘The Spirit of God is Upon Us’, ‘Love’, ‘Take Off Your Shoes’, ‘The Summons’ ‘Gifts from God’, ‘Without Seeing You’, ‘The Servant Song’, ‘Christ Be Our Light’.
PRAYER-ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé
Invitation to Holy Communion
Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God,
Behold him who takes away the sins
of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper
of the Lamb.
People:
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
When Receiving Communion
Celebrant: The Body of Christ.
People. Amen.
Prayers to the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.
Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.
Guide me.
Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.
Teach me.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
Enkindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be
created.
And you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who has taught the hearts
Of the faithful
By the light of the Holy Spirit,
Grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise
And ever to rejoice in his consolation,
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Paidir chuig an Spiorad Naomh
A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dhéanamh.
Cabhraigh liom.
A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireachtáil mar a mhair Íosa.
Treoraigh mé.
A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom
guí mar a ghuigh Íosa. Múin dom é.
‘I tell you solemnly, Moses did not give you bread from heaven; it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven, alleluia.’ (Benedictus antiphon).
‘The bread of God is that which came down from heaven and gives life to the world, alleluia.’(Magnificat antiphon)
St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716), Pray for us.
Sr Anne Neylon