What would it have been like for the Blessed Virgin Mary to receive her first Holy Communion? Drawing on St. John Paul II’s reflection in Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Dr. Sri explores how Mary, who carried Jesus in her womb for nine months, would have welcomed her Son once more in the Eucharist. Along the way, he offers practical ways to receive Communion with Mary’s attentiveness, love, and devotion.

Shownotes

Main takeaways

• The Annunciation anticipates the Eucharist. When Mary said yes to God, she welcomed the body and blood of Jesus into her womb. St. John Paul II says she was living a Eucharistic faith even before the Eucharist was instituted, and every time we receive Communion, we become in a sense like Mary.

• Mary hears the words of the Last Supper. Imagine Mary hearing from the apostles that Jesus said, “This is my body… This is my blood.” The body offered for the world was the same body she conceived and carried.

• Mary’s first Communion was a profound reunion. After the Ascension, Mary received her Son once more in the Eucharist. St. John Paul II describes it as welcoming again the heart that had beat in unison with hers.

• Receive Communion like Mary. Just as an expectant mother is attentive to the child within her, we’re invited to approach Jesus with tenderness and attention, not distraction about who’s at Mass, the donuts afterward, or a quick parking lot exit.

Three practical ways to make the most of Communion

1. Praise and thank Jesus for His love and the blessings in your life.

2. Pour out your heart by bringing Him your needs and praying for others.

3. Make time for thanksgiving by lingering after Mass to simply rest in His presence.

References:

• St. John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia

• Edward Sri, A Biblical Walk Through the Mass

• 1 John 4:8, Matthew 28:20