“Today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
Along with the good thief, we can discover God’s presence with us, and transform each moment into a foretaste of Paradise. The most supreme experience of this union with Christ in this life is our reverent reception of Holy Communion. Jesus is not only beside us, He comes to dwell within us, making our hearts his tabernacle – his paradise. Learning to walk each day with Jesus here on earth is the best preparation for heaven, when He will be all in all.
Today we commission our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, who assist us in this moment of intimate encounter with Jesus. In addition to helping at Mass, they bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners, turning each home into a paradise where Jesus is pleased to dwell.
EMHC’s are commissioned each year by the pastor for service in that parish. Here at San Pedro, we have chosen to do this each year on the feast of Christ the King. This annual commissioning also serves as an invitation to other parishioners whom the Lord may be calling to share in this vital outreach.
In order to foster greater recollection and prayer at the moment of Holy Communion, we will make a few changes starting next week. Please see the sidebar for more details.
If you know of someone in the parish who is not able to attend Mass, please let us know, so that we can arrange to bring them Holy Communion and offer the sacraments of Confession or Anointing of the Sick. And if you are interested in bringing Holy Communion to someone at home, please talk with the sacristan before Mass or call the parish office during the week so we can get to know you, and give you instruction on how we carry out this ministry at San Pedro.
“Today you will be with me in paradise.” This promise of Jesus is offered to every one of us, no matter where we are. In Holy Communion, we have the foretaste of that Paradise, Jesus within us. He unites us with himself and with one another, making us sharers in his one eternal offering to the Father, an offering of unending praise and thanksgiving.
-Fr. Tom
