Daily Gospel Reflection for October 5, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 10:17-24

My son, Peter, is profoundly affected by autism. Even though he is a young adult now, his level of functioning has never grown beyond that of a young child. My husband and I wanted Peter to be able to receive First Communion, but we needed him to get to a point where he at least understood Who the Eucharist was and to be able to receive respectfully. Most kids are around eight when they receive their First Communion, but at eight, Peter wasn’t there yet. So I kept praying and waiting for God to make it evident to us that Peter was ready.

On a random Sunday Mass when Peter was ten, God gave us the sign that Peter was ready. At the moment of consecration, Peter stated loudly, “That’s Jesus Christ!” My husband and I looked at each other, pretty sure that it was time. Just to be sure we didn’t miss the opportunity, God confirmed it at the end of Mass when our deacon pulled us aside and said, “I’ve been thinking about something lately, and I think it might be time to have Peter make his First Communion.”

At the end of a Sunday Mass a few weeks later, (so that it would be less chaotic and our family and friends could all see him), Peter received his First Communion. He was so proud and happy, and we were so grateful that Peter could now receive Jesus with us at every Mass. Even though there’s a lot of neurotypical things that Peter will never be able to do, he was able to see the profound truth of Jesus in the Eucharist.

“ . . . for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”

Ponder:

Can you remember a time when the innocence of someone with a childlike faith touched your heart?

Pray:

Jesus, thank You for the gift of faith. Help us to have eyes to see the beauty of faith in the people You have placed in our lives.

Copyright 2024 Michelle Hamel